The Arizona Wildcats (+9) are set to take on their in-conference nemesis USC Trojans (-9) at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kickoff is fairly late for fans on the East Coast (9:30 p.m. ET) and Pac-12 Networks will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans
The Wildcats head into this Saturday Pac-12 game as a big dog here and they’re currently getting 9 points. The Wildcats are also receiving +280 moneyline odds while the Trojans are -360. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 67 points. It appears that there will probably be multiple good in-game betting opportunities for this contest.
The game’s total has moved higher after opening at 66.5. The original line has yet to change.
The Wildcats have lost 1.6 units so far and are 2-4 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an O/U mark of 4-2.
The Trojans have lost 0.7 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and has an O/U record of 2-4.
The Wildcats are 4-2 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against conference opponents. The Trojans are 3-3 SU overall and are also 2-1 SU in conference play.
The Wildcats fell to Washington 51-27 in a thumping where their defense allowed the Huskies to run for 207 yards on 45 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. On the offensive side, the Wildcats completed 16-of-33 passes for 209 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Khalil Tate went 13-for-25 for 184 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Grant Gunnell completed three-of-eight for 25 yards. J.J. Taylor (89 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) led the running attack. Jamarye Joiner (three receptions, 55 yards, one TD) and Taylor (three catches, 37 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
USC narrowly suffered a 30-27 loss to Notre Dame. Kedon Slovis completed 24-of-35 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Markese Stepp (82 rushing yards on 10 attempts, one TD) mounted the running game as Amon-Ra St. Brown (eight receptions, 112 yards, one TD) and Erik Krommenhoek (five catches, 37 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Arizona has run the ball on 52.9 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 44.6 percent across possessions in conference play. USC has a rush percentage of 48.9 percent, and has kept it on the ground 46.1 percent of the time when facing Pac-12 opponents. The Wildcats have produced 209.3 rush yards per game (including 111 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 14 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Trojans are putting up 142.8 rushing yards per game (113.3 in conference) and have nine total rush TDs.
Based on the results this season, it seems like the Wildcats could have an edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 5.4 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 4.4 to opponents. The Trojans have registered 4.3 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.9 to opponents.
The Wildcats offensive scheme has logged 300 yards/contest through the air overall (321.7 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing scores so far. The Trojans have put up 286 pass yards per game (303 in the Pac-12) and have 12 total pass TDs.
Arizona has allowed opponents to run for an average of 152.5 yards and pass for 320.7 yards per game. The USC defense has allowed 224.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 197.2 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Wildcats have given up an ANY/A of 6.67 to opposing QBs, while the Trojans are allowing an ANY/A of 6.17.
Passing-wise, Tate is up to 868 yards this year. He’s completed 63-of-104 attempts with seven passing scores and five interceptions. He has a 6.49 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.67 over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Kedon Slovis has connected on 84-of-112 passes for 987 yards, seven TDs and four INTs. Slovis’ ANY/A sits at 7.60 for the year and 6.90 over his last two games.
When these two squads met last year, USC emerged victorious by a score of 24-20.
Arizona Wildcats vs. USC Trojans NCAA Pick
SU Winner: USC, ATS Winner: USC, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The O/U for Arizona’s last game was set at 62. The over cashed in the team’s 51-27 defeat to Washington.
- Arizona, as a team, has produced 3.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
- USC has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.6 over its past two.
- Both teams have lost four fumbles this season.
- Over its last three contests, Arizona is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for USC’s last matchup was set at 59. The under cashed in the 30-27 defeat to Notre Dame.
- Over its last three contests, USC is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- USC has dropped four of its last five games SU, with a seven-point win over Utah on September 20th accounting for the only victory over that stretch.
- The Wildcats offense has registered nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Trojans have accounted for six such plays.
- The Arizona defense has allowed six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while USC has given up one such play.
- The Arizona offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while USC has created seven such runs.
- The Wildcats defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Trojans have given up eight such runs.
- The USC defense has produced 14 sacks on the year while Arizona has just five.
