Lincoln Riley and the No. 13 USC Trojans look to follow up their impressive Week 1 victory over LSU with a successful home game against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday night.
It’s an ultimate sandwich spot for the Trojans, who travel to the Big House to face Michigan in Week 3. While that might matter in terms of the final score, I believe USC will dialed in early, as I explain in my Utah State vs. USC predictions and college football picks for September 7.
Utah State vs USC prediction
My best bet
USC -17.5 1H (-105 at BetMGM)
My analysis
It’s difficult to state just how impressive a coaching job new USC Trojans defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn pulled off last year when he turned UCLA’s defense around from inept to fearsome in one year’s time. It was a marvel, and he’s been tasked with pulling off the feat across town for Lincoln Riley’s Trojans this season.
Early results are quite promising as USC held LSU to 20 points in the opener despite the vast majority of the college football world projecting the Tigers to run wild on offense. The talent is there, and now a guru like Lynn can harness it — combined with Riley’s offensive prowess, that’s a dangerous mix.
Week 2’s opponent is the Utah State Aggies, a team who had one of the most tumultuous offseasons in recent memory. Former head coach Blake Anderson was fired after allegedly violating Title IX policies related to properly reporting sexual misconduct, and he’s since stated his intention to sue Utah State for wrongful termination.
The team made 33-year-old Nate Dreiling the youngest head coach (albeit interim) in the nation. Welcome to the show, kid — here’s USC on the road!
The Aggies were hit hard in the portal, losing two quarterbacks who started a game a year ago and three of their best defensive returners after spring.
After Iowa transfer Spencer Petras got injured in the opener and was seen in a walking boot, the team will essentially be down to its fourth-string quarterback in Utah transfer and pig-farmer extraordinaire Bryson Barnes (12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions a year ago). Running back Robert Briggs Jr. fractured his left leg in the opener after a 55-yard-run.
Miller Moss and this USC offense should be able to get whatever it wants against a Utah State defense that ranked 106th in success rate a year ago. On the flip side, Utah State has a mistake-prone quarterback and allowed 44 sacks a year ago.
USC may step off the gas in the second half with a trip to Ann Arbor on next weekend’s plans. The Trojans should hold nearly every advantage early on, however, so I’ll back them against the first-half spread.
Utah State vs USC same-game parlay (SGP)
USC -27.5
Utah State team total Over 16.5
Zachariah Branch Over 49.5 receiving yards
USC has won 10 straight games against the Mountain West Conference. That dominance should continue on Saturday against a Utah State team that has had difficulty covering spreads, going 2-5 ATS in its last seven games.
The Aggies essentially only know one mode on offense. They spread out the field, operate at a quick tempo (17th in plays per game at 2.58), and remain aggressive. Even if this game feels out of reach early, the Aggies will chuck the ball around and try to score some points, so their team total is live for the entirety of the game.
Receiver Jalen Royals is one of the Mountain West’s top returning players after going for 1,080 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago. Slot man Kyrese White exploded for 131 yards and two touchdowns on just three receptions in the opener.
The strength of this team is in the passing game and the game script predicts them to be playing from behind.
Phenom Zachariah Branch has my money for the “most exciting player to watch with the ball in their hands” and just went for 56 receiving yards against LSU. The Trojans don’t have a go-to target yet in the receiving game and the former five-star recruit should capitalize.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Utah State vs USC odds
Utah State vs USC State live odds
Utah State vs USC opening odds
- Spread: Utah State +28 (-115) | USC -28 (-105)
- Moneyline: Utah State OTB | USC OTB
- Over/Under: Over 61.5 (-110) | Under 61.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Utah State vs USC spread and Over/Under analysis
- Despite the 36-14 final score, Utah State struggled against Robert Morris in the first half of Week 1. The Aggies were trailing 14-10 at halftime before reeling off 26 consecutive points.
- Utah State is 6-66 all-time against ranked teams.
- Both teams have been profitable to the Over lately. Utah State has gone Over the total in nine of its last 13 games while USC has done so in eight of its last 12.
Utah State vs USC betting trend to know
USC is 6-0 all-time against Utah State with an average winning margin of 37.5 points. Find more college football betting trends for Utah State vs. USC.
Utah State vs USC State game info
| Location: | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, 9-7-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 11:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
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