USC at Ohio State Odds

Written by Rock Henderson

usc-ohio-state-predictions-091009 A national title contender will emerge on Saturday night when the Trojans of USC bring their #3 ranking into the Horseshoe to do battle with thee #8 Ohio State Buckeyes. The 2008 match up between these two powerhouses was much hyped but dissolved quickly into a route as the Trojans handed the Buckeyes their worst loss of the season 35 to 3. Gone is the SC team loaded with NFL ready talent and in comes a squad led by a true freshman QB Matt Barkley. USC opened as a 5 point favorite and the college football odds currently have the Trojans at -7 over the Ohio State with an over/under set for 44 points.

Ohio State must step their game up if they want to avoid getting embarrassed for a second year in a row by a strong Trojan team. The Navy Midshipmen gave OSU all they could handle last weekend and were a 2 point conversion away from tying the game late in the 4th quarter. LB Brian Rolle stepped in front of the rare pass by Navy QB Ricky Dobbs and took it to the house for 2 points to secure a 31 to 27 victory. Terrelle Pryor played well in his first game as the definite starting QB. He threw for 174 yards and 1 touchdown while also running for another score. RB Daniel Herron accounted for 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The offensive line is an area of concern as they looked slow off the ball and had trouble surging against an under-sized Navy d-line. The defense was solid in their first game out forcing 3 turnovers but did give up 186 yards on the ground.

The USC Trojans find themselves in a unfamiliar spot as they are not a favorite to get to the national title game. Uncertainty at the QB position goes a long way in college football and the same holds true for Pete Carroll’s unit. Matt Barkley took the first snap of the season for SC as a freshman and was efficient against San Jose State. The running attack was in full effect as Joe McKnight averaged over 10 yards a carry while Stafon Johnson found pay dirt two times. Skill players are a dime a dozen for the Trojans and the depth they showcase at the RB position is astonishing. Four backs got 5 or more carries in the game. Nothing helps take the pressure off of a first year QB quite like a powerful run game. SS Taylor Mays returned for his senior year even though most thought he would be a first round draft pick. He is the heart and soul of a defense that held SJSU to just 121 total yards. It has yet to be seen if Barkley can handle the major stage of college football as an 18 year old. Ohio State will most likely load up the box with 8 defenders to try and make the highly touted recruit make plays through the air.

You have to give credit to Ohio State, they have stepped up and played big time opponents over the last four years. The results have been undesirable as Texas and USC have dominated the Buckeyes the last 4 years. Ohio State is an alarming 1-7 ATS in their last 8 at home. USC is 10-1 ATS vs Big Ten opponents. I recommend you look past those numbers for this one. There is no way anyone should lay a touchdown on a freshman QB with no road experience. OSU is up against the wall in this one and if they don’t win outright, they should cover the number. 7 is a great number to get in front of 107,000 people and a QB advantage.

Rock’s Score Prediction: USC 24, Ohio State 20

Rock’s Free Pick: Take Ohio State +7

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