The USC Trojans (+7) are traveling east to visit the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. This crucial Pac-12 matchup kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET and Pac-12 Networks is in line to have the TV rights.
Betting Preview: USC Trojans at Utah Utes
This Saturday Pac-12 matchup showcases the Trojans as the dogs and they’re currently receiving 7 points. If they are wanting to play the moneyline, bettors would currently have to lay down $300 in order to win $100 back on the Utes (-300). The Trojans are getting +220 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 49 points, and if one side catches a lucky break early on, it will probably produce a worthwhile betting opportunity in-game.
This game’s line opened at -7. The total has not changed since it was initially established at 49.
The Trojans are 2-4 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 1.0 unit so far. The team’s posted an Over-Under record of 3-3.
The Utes have gained 1.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-3 ATS and own an O/U record of 2-3.
The Trojans have gone 4-2 straight up (SU), including 3-1 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Utes are 4-2 SU overall and are also 2-2 SU in conference play.
When these two squads met last year, USC got the victory 28-27.
The Trojans are trying to maintain momentum after a solid 31-20 victory over Colorado last week in which JT Daniels completed only 17 passes on 34 attempts for 272 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Stephen Carr (only 20 yards on 12 rushes) led the ground attack while Tyler Vaughns (five receptions, 86 yards, one TD) and Michael Pittman Jr. (five catches, 144 yards, two TDs) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Utah is coming off of a lopsided 42-10 win over Arizona. The team’s allowed the Wildcats to put up 246 yards through the air and 72 more on the ground. J.J. Taylor was a bright spot in the loss for Arizona, recording 63 rushing yards on 14 attempts. For Utah, Tyler Huntley completed 14-of-19 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Zack Moss (68 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Huntley (64 yards on 11 carries, one TD) handled the running attack as Britain Covey (six receptions, 51 yards) and Demari Simpkins (three catches, 78 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
USC has run the ball on 49.1 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 54.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Utah has an overall rush percentage of 57.9 percent, and has run the ball 62.0 percent of the time against Pac-12 opponents. The Trojans have run for 126.0 yards/game (including 135.5 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Utes are logging 185.8 rush yards per game (194.8 in conference) and have 11 total rushing TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then the Utes should have an advantage in all aspects of the ground game. Their backfield has produced 4.6 yards per carry while the defense has allowed 2.4 YPC to opponents. The Trojans have recorded 3.9 yards per carry while allowing 4.2 YPC to opponents.
The Trojans offense has averaged 255.3 yards through the air overall (232.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has seven passing scores so far. The Utes have produced 220.8 pass yards per contest (180 against Pac-12 competition) and have eight total pass TDs.
USC has let opponents run for an average of 151.8 yards and throw for 210.0 yards per game. The Utah D has given up 225.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 74.8 yards per game on the ground. The Utes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.63 to opponents, while the Trojans have allowed a 5.52 ANY/A.
Offensively, Daniels is up to 1,332 passing yards this season. He’s connected on 101-of-177 attempts with seven passing scores and five interceptions. He has a 6.10 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.90 over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Tyler Huntley has connected on 91-of-148 passes for 1,022 yards, six TDs and three INTs. Huntley’s ANY/A sits at 5.75 for the season and 9.67 over his past two games.
USC Trojans vs. Utah Utes NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Utah, ATS Winner: Utah, O/U: Under
Team Betting Trends
- The Utah defense has notched 18 sacks on the year while USC has 13.
- Utah has lost seven fumbles this season while the USC offense has lost five.
- The Trojans offense has created nine pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Utes have put up six such plays.
- The USC defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Utah has given up four such plays.
- The USC offense has created six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Utah has created 13 such runs.
- The Trojans defense has allowed 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Utes have given up two such runs.
- The Over/Under for Utah’s previous outing was 54. The under cashed in the team’s 42-10 victory over Arizona.
- In its last three contests, Utah is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, USC is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for USC’s last game was set at 57.5. The under cashed in the team’s 31-20 victory over Colorado.
- As a team, USC has averaged 4.1 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 4.3 over its last two.
- Utah has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 5.1 over its last two.
