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USC at Ohio State Football Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on September 10, 2009

usc ohio state 91009 No. 3 USC meets No. 8 Ohio State this Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus in an ESPN prime time showdown. Both teams enter this Week 2 matchup at 1-0, but Week 1 was very different for both sides. Pete Carroll’s Trojans opened up the year with an impressive 56-3 pasting of San Jose State while Jim Tressel’s Buckeye’s needed an interception return on a two- point conversion attempt to ensure a 31-27 win against Navy. USC holds a 12-9-1 advantage in the all-time series and has won six in a row, including a 35-2 blowout last last season. NCAA football odds makers have listed the USC Trojans as 7-point favorites with the total set at 44.

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USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley got his career off to a strong start, completing 15 of 19 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown last week, much to the liking of his coach. Now, the highly touted freshman will get his first true test in one of the toughest venues in college football.

USC was able to rack up 342 yards on the ground in Week 1, led by Joe McKnight’s 145 yards and two touchdowns. USC’s ability to run the football figures to be critical this week. If Ohio State is able to hold the running game in check, it will put more pressure on the true freshman to move the ball with his arm.

While an offense which amassed a ridiculous 620 yards stole most of the headlines in USC’s Week 1 win, the Trojans defense deserves some praise as well. USC gave up only 121 yards of total offense, including just nine yards on the ground. And the Trojans lived in the San Jose State backfield with 16 tackles for loss. If you think the Trojans are primed and ready to win their seventh straight game against the Buckeyes and cover the number in the process, bet USC at -7 at BetUS.

The headlines of the Ohio State Buckeyes read much differently than those of the USC Trojans following Week 1, but perhaps the Buckeyes were just caught looking ahead. If USC prevails Saturday night, it will not be for lack of effort by the Buckeyes who want nothing more than to avenge last year’s embarrassing loss in L.A.

Ohio State signal caller Tyrelle Pryor completed 14 of 21 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown and added 30 more yards on the ground. With Beanie Wells now playing on Sunday’s, tailback Dan Herron will be called upon to carry the load. Herron finished with 72 yards on the ground and a score and added 29 yards through the air on four receptions. He will be joined by Brandon Saine to form a formidable running back duo.

Defensively, the Buckeyes lost most of its star power, as did USC, but they do return seven starters and that figures to bode well for them this season, especially in this game, having already received a taste of USC’s highly publicized speed. It may have been because they were playing against a scheme they were not familiar with, but the Buckeyes allowed Navy to gain 186 yards on the ground for an average of 4.2 yards per tote. If Ohio State wants a chance to win this week, it must shut down the USC running attack, plain and simple. If you think the Buckeyes have what it takes to pull off the upset in the Horseshoe, bet Ohio State at +7 at BetUS.

*Note: Jimmy Boyd has five Saturday NCAA football picks up and ready for action, featuring his 5* NCAAF Blowout of the Month, his 16-0 ATS NCAAF Underdog of the Week, and his Week 2 NCAAF Public Massacre.

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