Utah State vs USC Prediction College Football Picks 9/7/24

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Utah State Aggies

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the USC Trojans

Recent betting trends in games played between Utah State and USC

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Utah State vs USC game

Utah State Aggies Betting Preview

The Aggies managed to go 6-7 overall last year. Utah State hit a 4-4 run in the Mountain West, which put the team near the middle of the standings. In their Famous Idaho Potato Bowl berth versus Georgia State, the Aggies lost 45-22.

On Saturday versus Robert Morris, the Aggies hung points on the scoreboard in every quarter on the way to a 36-14 win. Bryson Barnes went 11-of-21 for 198 yards and two scores while also notching 88 rush yards and a TD. Kyrese Rowan added three catches for 131 yards and two scores.

USC Trojans Betting Preview

Over on the USC side, they posted a decent 8-5 run last year with a 5-4 result in Pac-12 games. The Trojans would finish in sixth place—near the middle of the standings as well. USC managed a Holiday Bowl win 42-28 over Louisville.

Matched up against LSU on Sunday, the Trojans were down 17-13 going into the fourth quarter but scored 14 from there in a comeback 27-20 thriller win. QB Miller Moss logged 378 pass yards and Joquavious Marks led the rush on 68 yards and two scores. Kyron Ware-Hudson added five catches for 83 yards.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• USC has won each of its last nine games in September.
• Utah State has lost 10 of its last 11 road games against AP-ranked teams.
• Utah State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games.
• USC has covered the spread in each of its last four home games in September.
• Utah State has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Utah State Aggies will win

• USC has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
• Utah State has covered the spread in three of its last four road games against AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

• Five of USC's last six games against non-conference opponents at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum have gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of Utah State's last five games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• USC rank T1st among FBS teams for H2 win percentage this season (1.000).
• USC rank T13th among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (14.0).
• Utah State rank T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
• Utah State rank T1st among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).

Utah State vs USC Prediction

I’m leaning toward USC. In their Week 1 matchup the Trojans posted 447 total yards (378 passing), 7.5 yards per play, and 24 first downs in the win. If there’s bad news it’s that USC only went 3-of-9 on third-down tries and gave up a healthy 421 yards (304 passing) on defense. All things considered, however, it was a stellar victory.

As for Utah State, they posted 646 total yards (303 rushing) and 9.6 yards per play in their opener win. That said, there’s plenty to work on. The Aggies committed 10 penalties, went just 4-of-13 on third downs, and had three interceptions (with one being a highlight-reel acrobatic effort). Making matters worse, starting QB Spencer Petras and starting RB Robert Briggs left the game with injuries. (Petras seemed to avoid catastrophe but unfortunately, Briggs will be out for a while.) A depleted Aggies offense is good enough to compete against a lot of teams, but most likely not USC. The Trojans need to avoid the big-win hangover, though.