The Rice Owls and the USC Trojans open their seasons Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a 6 p.m. ET kickoff (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rice vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
USC, No.15 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, hopes to start the Lincoln Riley era with a victory – Riley was hired away from Oklahoma last November. QB Caleb Williams and star WR Mario Williams both followed Riley to USC from Oklahoma. The Trojans also added RB Travis Dye, who transferred in from Oregon. The offense will be loaded in Los Angeles, but the defense still leaves something to be desired.
Rice is coming off a 4-8 season under coach Mike Bloomgren in Conference USA. The Trojans, who also finished 4-8 last season, enter 2022 with a far different outlook than the Owls. Although many teams left C-USA in the offseason, including Marshall and Old Dominion, Rice is still expected to finish near the bottom of the conference standings in 2022.
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Rice at USC odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:53 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Rice +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | USC -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rice +32.5 (-110) | USC-32.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rice at USC picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 56, Rice 20
Money line
PASS. No way does USC (-5000) lose this game, especially in Riley’s Trojans debut. But it’s not wise to back such a huge favorite.
This game is going to be a domination by the better team. USC is hyped for Riley and his troop of talented players he brought with him. Rice will be outmatched in this one.
If it’s close, there is a lot to worry about with USC.
Against the spread
USC -32.5 (-110) is my FAVORITE PLAY in this non-conference tilt.
Caleb Williams and Co. are going to have a field day, and I don’t mean the type of field day we had in elementary school. Although Rice might look as such against the more talented roster of USC.
With the defense of USC being its weak spot, Rice has a chance to get to 20 points. But USC will still cover 32.5 points as 60 is a possibility for the Trojans.
Over/Under
OVER 61.5 (-110) is the way to play this one.
If you are a bit hesitant about the large spread, the Over is a great play in this mismatch as well. Much like Thursday’s Central Michigan at Oklahoma State game, which OK-State won 58-44, this contest is going to get well Over the posted total.
There’s a good chance the Trojans cover this number by themselves. Also consider playing USC team total OVER 47.5 (-112).
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