College Football Betting Preview: USC vs. Utah

We are in the final iteration of the current Pac-12 Conference, and there has been some high-level football played. It’s almost a shame that the conference is dissolving, but one good year doesn’t erase the past decade of poor management and horrible media deals that plagued the league.

This article is going to feature the upcoming battle between the Utah Utes and the USC Trojans. Utah has dealt with injuries all season long but is sitting at 5-1 after a 34-14 dismantling of the Cal Bears. USC is atop the standings at 6-1, but their increasingly weak defense finally betrayed them last week as they were torched by Notre Dame 48-20. 

The Utes defense is the pillar of their success, while the Trojans have relied heavily on their Heisman candidate Caleb Williams to carry them across the finish line. This is an interesting game of contrasting styles, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Let’s take a closer look at both teams.

Odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Utah Utes vs USC Trojans

Spread: Utah +7 (-108), USC -7 (-112)
Moneyline: Utah +240, USC (-298)
Total: Over 52 (-112), Under 52 (-108)

The Utes have dealt with injuries to most of the skill positions, and it’s truly impressive they’ve been able to turn in a winning record at all. With Cam Rising sidelined for most of the season, the Utes have been able to rely on a stout defense and a refined rushing attack that has done more than enough. 

The Utes’ opportunistic secondary has picked off seven passes, and you can be sure they’re going to harass Williams all game long. He was picked off just five times in 14 games a season ago but ended up throwing three interceptions in the first half of the loss to Notre Dame. 

One of the more intriguing storylines of last game was safety Sione Vaki getting work at running back against the Bears. He toted the rock 15 times and rushed for 158 yards while scoring twice. The super athlete is likely going to get even more work at RB going forward which could get ugly with the Trojans’ lackluster defense getting worse by the game.

A new wrinkle to Utah’s offense is the emergence of freshman slot receiver Mikey Matthews. He caught all seven of his targets against Cal and could be in line for a lot more work against the USC defense, especially if the Utes aren’t able to keep Williams in check.

They have suffered from tight end Brant Kuithe’s lack of health, but Matthews can help fill that void with continued production. Money Parks and Devaughn Vele are both capable options that can really torture this USC secondary as well. We will have to monitor Rising’s status going into this game, but I like the Utes’ chances even without him.

On the USC side, Williams will have to get back on track and show the consistency we have come to expect from the future NFL QB. Williams turned in two solid performances a year ago against Utah, throwing for over 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. The key to this particular matchup will be giving him time to let plays develop so that he isn’t rushed into a bad decision.

The weapons for the Trojans are strong as usual, with MarShawn Lloyd up to 567 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. It would be wise for USC to lean on him early to set the tone and open things up in the passing game.

Williams has a myriad of options in the passing game and an embarrassment of riches that most programs could only dream of having for a decade, let alone a single season. Brenden Rice, Tahj Washington, Mario Williams and Dorian Singer will likely all play on Sundays when they’re done with college – not to mention Zachariah Branch, Kyron Hudson and Duce Robinson having legitimate star potential in the near future.

Ultimately, this will be a close game, and the Utes’ semi-elite defense will keep the score manageable so that they can rely on their rushing attack to seal the deal late.

Best Bet

• Utah Moneyline +240