Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
The Pac-12 is wasting no time in getting to a key battle that can determine the direction of how two storied programs perform this season. USC has high expectations as they strive to climb back atop the conference. Stanford is simply trying to prove their competency after a horrible Week 1 loss to Kansas State.
This rivalry has been as even as it comes over the last decade. This tie-breaking contest has a clear favorite in USC, but we have to find the right value for us to profit. USC has been tricky to bet the last couple of years and has often been a toxic play.
Can they be trusted against lowly Stanford, or will they bite us again?
We have you covered from every angle of this matchup. Let’s dig in.
Stanford Cardinal vs. USC Trojans Week 2 odds
Here is a look at the Week 1 betting odds between Stanford and USC odds (courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook).
- USC -17 (-110)
- Over/Under: 51.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: USC -900, Stanford +600
Stanford at USC game preview
Here’s a look at the preview between Stanford and USC for Week 1.
USC offense vs. Stanford defense
Finally, the youth movement that plagued the Trojans’ development for a few years seems to be paying off — the team has five seniors and an additional three juniors starting. The trenches looked more powerful and refined last week against San Jose State. They’re about to be tested against Stanford.
Where USC continues to win is their ability to get speed into space. Quarterback Kedon Slovis is efficient if nothing else, but he has a slew of quality playmaking around him. The Cardinal defense cannot handle Drake London, Keaontay Ingram, or Tahj Washington in single coverage all game.
USC is well-rounded on offense and will find success on the ground against Stanford’s flawed defense. Kansas State had no issues throwing or running all over the Cardinal. Things are going to be even worse against USC as the talent gap grows.
Stanford offense vs. USC defense
Goodness, the Cardinal offense was a drag in Week 1. Kansas State lacks premier athletes and size on defense and was embarrassed several times in 2020. What should’ve been a close game was nowhere near it.
Stanford’s passing game had a little more effectiveness once Tanner McKee took over for Jack West. McKee was already named starter at quarterback against USC and maybe he can transform this unit. The Cardinal must now fix the run game, which produced just 46 yards on 15 carries from their tailbacks.
USC did extremely well against a good passer in Nick Starkel from the Spartans. I don’t see how Stanford can suddenly look like a much more balanced team other than play harder, cut down on turnovers, and be a lot more creative with playcalling.
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Betting trends for Stanford at USC
Stanford has failed to cover the spread in eight of their last 11 matchups, but they have won four of their last five games. The Cardinals have covered the spread in five of their last seven games against USC.
USC has gone under in six of their last seven games and have covered in four of their last five contests. They’ve won eight of nine at home.
CFB betting picks – Stanford at USC
USC has too many playmakers all over the field for Stanford to cover. This isn’t a good version of Stanford, whereas USC is trending back upward a bit. We saw more discipline from the Trojans in Week 1 and that bodes well for their ability to win by more than three scores as the spread indicates.
Best bets: USC -17 (-110)
