BYU has dominated the Pac-12 in 2021, going 4-0 against the conference. The Cougars look to make it a perfect 5-0 as they travel to the Coliseum to face the USC Trojans, who are in the midst of a steep downward spiral.
Despite the down season and inner turmoil, the Trojans can still reach bowl eligibility with two straight wins. Will they be able to pull off the upset, or will BYU notch yet another win over the Pac-12?
We have you covered with picks and predictions for the BYU Cougars vs. the USC Trojans on Saturday, November 27.
BYU vs USC odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The line has held steady at the opener of BYU -7. The total has dropped a point since the opener at 65, currently sitting at 64. Be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets, and also view the full line movement for this game.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until kickoff and be sure to check out the full college football odds before placing your bets.
BYU vs USC predictions
Predictions made on 11/24/2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
If you're signing up for a new sportsbook for the 2021 college football season, here are two of the best welcome bonuses available:
USA: Sign up with Caesars and get your first bet matched up to $1,001! Claim Now
Canada: Get a 100%-matched sign-up bonus (up to $400) at BetVictor. Claim Now
BYU vs USC game info
• Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Saturday, November 27, 2021
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
BYU vs USC betting preview
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key injuries
BYU: Baylor Romney QB (Out), Neil Pau’u WR (Out), Harris LaChance OL (Questionable), Chaz Ah You LB (Questionable), Campbell Barrington OL (Questionable).
USC: Kedon Slovis QB (Questionable), Drake London WR (Out), Keaontay Ingram RB (Questionable), Michael Trigg TE (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
USC is 0-5 in its last 5 games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for BYU vs. USC.
BYU vs USC picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
This line feels like a gift. BYU is headed in the right direction as a program, seeking its second straight season with a national ranking and sporting a 4-0 record against Pac-12 opponents. A win on Saturday would leave the Cougars with a 6-1 record against Power 5 competition.
The Trojans, meanwhile, are entering off an embarrassing 62-33 loss at home to rivals UCLA. Clay Helton was fired unceremoniously after only the second game of the season, and the team has slumped to a 3-5 record under interim coach Donte Williams. We recommended UCLA minus the points last week and it cashed with ease. We’re going right back to well fading the Trojans.
BYU’s only loss came to a 9-2 Baylor team that is playing so well its coach's name, Dave Aranda, is frequently tossed around for major head coaching vacancies. Other than that, the Cougars have won every other game by more than a touchdown.
There’s not exactly an area of weakness — this is a well-coached, well-rounded football team. In other words, the opposite of USC. The offense has been the calling card for the Cougars, ranking 21st in the country with 456.7 yards per game while averaging a robust 6.8 yards per play. It has been hitting its groove lately, averaging 53 points per game over the last three games.
USC can fight for a meaningless bowl game for added motivation, but that angle isn’t swaying us. This team looks more impatient for the season to end than to prolong it.
Prediction: BYU -7 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The Over is 5-0 in the Trojans’ last five home games. They’ve allowed at least 435 yards to each of their last three opponents. Last week’s performance was especially pathetic, allowing the Bruins to rack up 62 points on 609 total yards and 9.2 yards per play. They don’t look particularly interested in tackling, which is concerning facing star BYU running back Tyler Allgeier (1,455 scrimmage yards, 18 TDs).
This Cougars offense is clicking. Here are their point totals in the last three games: 66, 59, and 34. Granted those games against subpar defenses, but is USC any exception? The Cougars have managed at least 400 yards of offense in seven of their last eight games, a mark of their consistency. The BYU team total of 37.5 looks appealing, but the full game total also holds value.
USC operated an Air Raid scheme offensively, and freshman Jaxson Dart looks like an aggressive risk-taker at quarterback. BYU’s defense has allowed a handful of big passing yardage totals this year, and Dart could be the next beneficiary.
Prediction: Over 64 (-110)
Best bet
BYU has been a significantly better football team than USC for the last two years. Although a bowl game is still in reach for the Trojans, we can’t expect them to be fired up for an appearance in some insignificant bowl.
USC is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games overall and 0-5 ATS in its last 5 home games. We like that trend to continue.
Pick: BYU -7 (-110)
Did you know that if you parlayed our BYU vs. USC picks, you could win $26.45 on a $10 bet?
Use our college football parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
