NCAAF Odds and Expert Score Prediction: USC vs. Washington State

The 16th-ranked Washington State Cougars will look to pull off the huge upset over the fifth-ranked and constantly NCAAF odds favorite USC Trojans when they host their longtime Pac-12 rivals in an intriguing Week 5 Pac-12 pairing that looks like a thriller just waiting to happen. “What an incredible atmosphere that is going to be on a short week on a Friday night in the Palouse,” said USC head coach Clay Helton. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’ve got a big challenge on our hands.” The Trojans will arrive as favorites by 3.5-points. If you want to know which one of these conference championship and four-team playoff hopefuls is going to bring home the bacon, look no further and let’s find out right now.

USC Trojans (4-0) at Washington State Cougars (4-0) NCAAF Odds & Preview

When: Friday, September 29, 2017, 10:30 PM ET Where: Martin Stadium TV: ESPN Radio: 690 AM (USC) / 100.7 FM (Washington State) Live Stream: PAC-12 Networks NCAAF Odds: Washington State Cougars +5.5 Total: 65

Florida State at Wake Forest College Football Betting Pick, Odds & Preview

Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)

• Record: USC leads 9-1
• Score: USC 41.20 / Washington State 12.60
• Rush Yards: USC 213.10 / Washington State 63.70
• Pass Attempts: USC 30.10 / Washington State 39.70
• Completion Percentage: USC 67.77 / Washington State 57.68
• Passing Yards: USC 274.5 / Washington State 209.8
• Total Yards: USC 487.6 / Washington State 273.5
• Turnovers: USC 1.70 / Washington State 2.70

Why Bet the USC Trojans Odds at -3.5?

The 5th ranked USC Trojans improved to 4-0 on the season after getting past the California Golden Bears 30-20 in their Week 4 Pac-12 opener, although the game was a lot tighter than the final score indicates. USC was tied with Cal 13-13 at the half but scored 17 fourth-quarter points to pull away late. “You’re very, very happy again when you see a team finishing in the fourth quarter,” Helton said. “That’s kind of been our hallmark.” Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback Sam Darnold and one of the biggest reasons they are favorites at the NCAAF Lines completed 26 of 38 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception to lead the Trojans to victory while running back Stephen Carr rushed 20 times for 82 yards and one score. The Trojans have outscored their opponents this season 72-38 after three-quarters. Darnold will likely have his hands full against a Cougars defense that is ranked first in the Pac-12 in pass defense, by limiting the opposition to just 142.2 yards per game. Defensively, USC is allowing 24.8 points and 370.3 total yards per game.

Team Statistics

Offense

• Average Score For: 37
• Total Yards: 492
• Rush Yards: 185.75
• Passing Yards: 306.25

Defense

• Average Score Against: 24.75
• Total Yards: 370.25
• Rush Yards: 153.50
• Passing Yards: 216.75

Why Bet the Washington State Cougars Odds at +3.5?

The 16th-ranked Cougars improved to 4-0 on the season after spanking the Nevada Wolfpack 45-7 this past Saturday as senior quarterback Luke Falk completed 36 of 47 pass attempts for 478 yards and five touchdowns. Through four games, Falk has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 344.1 yards a game with 14 touchdowns and only one interception, while helping the Cougars rank 12th nationally in scoring. While USC has made a habit of coming up big late in games, Washington State has been getting out of the gate on fire by outscoring their opponents 87-19 in the first half. Washington State led Nevada 35-0 at the half before hitting cruise control over the final two quarters. “I guess you guys feel some of the starts have been faster than I do,” head coach Mike Leach said at his Monday press conference when asked about the reasons for the quick starts. “The short answer is that all sides of the ball played well together. … We’ve emphasized it. But it’s something that easier said than done.” For the season, Falk has completed an incendiary 76.9 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and just one interception. Defensively, Washington State is holding their opponents to an average of 18.5 points per game and has forced 10 turnovers so far in the season while committing six turnovers.

Team Statistics

Offense

• Average Score For: 43.75
• Total Yards: 504.25
• Rush Yards: 71.75
• Passing Yards: 432.5

Defense

• Average Score Against: 18.5
• Total Yards: 262.25
• Rush Yards: 120
• Passing Yards: 142.25

Latest College Football Betting Trends

• Trojans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
• Trojans are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Southern California’s last 6 games
• Cougars are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games
• Cougars are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington State’s last 6 games

Expert NCAAF Odds Analysis and Prediction

While 57 percent of public bettors are already backing Sam Darnold and the USC Trojans, I’m going to urge you to back the Washington State Cougars to not only cover the college football betting line but do so by winning outright. While Sam Darnold is being looked at as this year’s Heisman favorite by many and the likely No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft, he’s also struggled early on in throwing seven interceptions which is just two fewer than he tossed in 10 starts last season. USC could also be without its top running back Ronald Jones II for the second straight game after he was forced to miss Saturday’s win over Cal because of a thigh contusion and sprained ankle. I know the Trojans are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 conference games, but USC is also just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games in the month of September. The Cougars are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games following an ATS win and an even more impressive 9-2 ATS in their L/11 games after scoring at least 40 points in their previous contest. Right now, I’m thinking the stars are aligned for the Cougars to win outright! NCAAF Odds Pick: Washington State +3.5