San Jose State at USC odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s San Jose State at USC odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The San Jose State Spartans will face the USC Trojans on Saturday in the first week of the college football season. Kickoff from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (PAC-12 Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the San Jose State vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

San Jose State finished last season with a 7-4 record, ultimately losing 41-27 to Eastern Michigan in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Its only notable opponent was a 24-16 loss to Auburn in the 2nd week of the season. The Spartans finished 3rd in the Mountain West – West Division with a 6-0 home record.

USC finished last season with an 11-2 record, dropping its final game of the season 47-24 against Utah knocking them out of playoff contention. The Trojans fell 46-45 in a shootout against Tulane in the Cotton Bowl. They were the Pac-12 champions and QB Caleb Williams took home the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

USC is No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

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San Jose State at USC odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 9:45 a.m. ET,

  • Moneyline (ML): San Jose State +1600 (bet $100 to win $1,600) | USC -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): San Jose State +30.5 (-110) | USC -30.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 66.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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San Jose State at USC picks and predictions

Prediction

USC 52, San Jose State 17

Moneyline

PASS.

With USC returning the reigning Heisman and seeking vengeance for its tragic end to last season, expect them to make a statement in this game. However, there is no profit to be made at -10000 odds.

Against the spread

SPRINKLE USC -30.5 (-110).

The Trojans opened the season with a 66-14 victory against Rice last year but only beat one other team — Colorado — by more than 30 points. This should be a tune-up game for USC and head coach Lincoln Riley will have his team ready to play with many starters returning. Expect a throttling, but 30.5 points is still a high margin of victory which merits just a sprinkle.

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 66.5 (-110).

Eleven of the Trojans’ 14 games went for more than 66.5 points last season with the offense scoring 30 or more points in 12 games. Williams and company run an offense that is high-powered and capable of finding the end zone on each drive. Expect San Jose State to put up a few points of its own once this game becomes out of reach which will allow the Over to cash.

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San Jose State at USC odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s San Jose State Spartans at USC Trojans odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The San Jose State Spartans and USC Trojans will meet in the season opener at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the San Jose State at USC odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.

This Golden State battle features two top-notch quarterbacks. San Jose State’s Nick Starkel and USC’s Kedon Slovis could put up some big numbers in this one.

Starkel will get to play behind an offensive line returning all five starters, helping to keep him upright. And he’ll have a nice one-two punch in the backfield with RBs Tyler Nevens and Kairee Robinson, as well as two top-tier receiving talents in TE Derrick Deese Jr. and WR Isaiah Hamilton.

Slovis is a Heisman hopeful, and if he can stay healthy, he has the chance to not only be the best quarterback in the Pac-12, but perhaps the best in the nation. The key is the offensive line, a unit that really struggled in 2020 allowing 15 sacks in just six games. They need to be much, much better.

San Jose State at USC odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: San Jose State +470 (bet $100 to win $470) | USC -700 (bet $700 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): San Jose State +14.5 (-120) | USC -14.5 (+100)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 59.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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San Jose State at USC odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

USC 38, San Jose State 27

Money line

USC (-700) will cost you seven times your potential return, and that’s very steep. San Jose State (+470) has a real chance to win this game outright, that’s how talented they are on offense.

AVOID.

Against the spread

SAN JOSE STATE +14.5 (-120) is a tremendous play, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the margin of victory be in the single digits. Starkel and the Spartans offense should have plenty of answers, even if they fall behind early.

Keep in mind, the Spartans are also 7-1-1 ATS across the past nine road games, and they’re an impressive 9-1-1 ATS in the previous 11 as an underdog on the road. Playing on the road in hostile territory doesn’t bother them.

Over/Under

OVER 59.5 (-105) is the best play on the board, and with quarterbacks the caliber of Starkel and Slovis, this has the potential to be a real shootout. Remember, USC’s secondary ranked seventh in pass efficiency defense in 2020, and Starkel could pick them apart.

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