Cal had dreams of a Big Game showdown with Stanford deciding the Pac-12 North, but those dreams have been squashed with consecutive losses to Utah and UCLA. The Trojans, meanwhile, jumped back into the South picture with a resounding beatdown of the Utes last week, knocking Utah from the ranks of the unbeaten. The Golden Bears need a win to get back on track and they’ll have to beat SC for the first time in 12 tries to get there.
ODDS
USC opened as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 65. Offense seems to be the theme for this one with the total being wagered to 69. The line dropped a half point to -6. SC has won 11 straight in the series and is 8-3 ATS in that span.
KEY MISMATCH
Injuries have hit the USC offense hard lately with center Toa Lobendahn lost with a season-ending knee injury in the first half of the Utah win. It was the second time in three games the Trojans’ starting center has gone down. Lobendahn took over for Max Tuerk, who was lost with a knee injury three weeks ago against Washington. USC is also down a pair of receivers as Steven Mitchell Jr. and Darreus Rogers are still out. Khaliel Rodgers will take over as the third starting center in the past four games. Adoree’ Jackson is doing his best Deion Sanders imitation, playing on both sides of the ball. He played receiver and tailback last week and will likely be returned to his cornerback spot to combat the pass-happy Bears. Even with the disruptions, quarterback Cody Kessler had his best game in the last several against Utah and interim coach Clay Helton liked the way he carried himself in a difficult situation. In his brief tenure Helton has emphasized simple, physical play, hoping to remind USC’s long list of superior athletic talents of its ability to simply outplay opponents at times.
KEY STAT
38.9 – USC’s points per game average. The average was bolstered by a couple of 50-point games against lesser competition to open the year, but the Trojans have scored 36.5 points per game since Helton took over. Cal surrenders 26.7 points per game and allowed 70 total in back-to-back losses.
BETTING ANGLE
USC had its back to the wall last week and came out swinging, knocking out third-ranked and previously unbeaten Utah rather convincingly, 42-24. After the distractions the program had to deal with leading up to that game, it would have been easy for the Trojans to pack it in. But was that victory a last gasp in a turmoil-filled season or a legitimate step forward in rejoining the Pac-12 South race? We’ll know more about the program’s direction Saturday. The Trojans have won 11 straight over Cal since their last loss in 2003 going 8-3 ATS in that span. Nothing seems fundamentally different about USC, which was picked to win the Pac-12 in a vote of the league’s media. There is plenty of time remaining for the Trojans to do something productive because the talent is in place. If that talent hooks up with a good attitude and strong leadership from Helton, then watch out.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Look for a bounce back performance from Cal quarterback Jared Goff, who was rattled by UCLA last week. Goff had solid numbers but the offense really didn’t get much going until late in the third quarter of what had become garbage time. The Bears have the advantage of a few extra days after their Thursday debacle in Pasadena, which gives them more time to prepare. And the Trojans are still vulnerable to good offenses as Stanford, Arizona State and Notre Dame all moved the ball against them. USC saved its season last week and while the Trojans are still more of an afterthought in the Pac-12, they are in the hunt. They also looked like a different team while throttling Utah and have responded under Helton. The teams combined for 68 points in a sloppy affair last year. Cal should be stronger playing at home and USC is in a good place offensively, giving the over plenty of value.
USC 41, Cal 34
The college football lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker and the Trojans were positioned as 6.5-point favorites with a total of 65. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The USC Trojans and Cal Golden Bears square off on Saturday, October 31, 2015, at 3 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on FOX.
