Last Updated on September 22, 2009 6:37 pm by drew
Wash St.-USC Odds
Los Angeles,
To make it eight in a row, the Trojans again need to rebound from a surprising loss to an unranked Pac-10 rival.
The No. 12 Trojans look to bounce back from a shocking defeat to one team they had dominated lately by continuing their mastery of another as they host Washington State on Saturday night.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made USC -44.5 point spread favorites (View College Football odds) for Saturday’s game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 65% of bets for this game have been placed on Washington State +44.5 (View College Football bet percentages).
USC (2-1, 0-1) has set a conference record by winning at least a share of seven straight Pac-10 championships, but each of its last three runs to the title has been marred by a loss to an unranked conference opponent.
The Trojans were ranked third when they lost at
As much experience as they have with such letdowns, the Trojans suffered another one last Saturday. Coming into the game at No. 3, USC fell 16-13 to a
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The Trojans, who had won their previous seven games against the Huskies, were stung by eight penalties, an 0-for-10 conversion rate on third down and three turnovers inside the
"We didn’t get any better from last week," coach Pete Carroll said. "I’m not doing a good enough job of making the points of how we win."
Perhaps one of the reasons the Trojans didn’t win last week was the absence of Matt Barkley. The freshman quarterback helped USC to an 18-15 road victory over then-No. 8
Sophomore Aaron Corp started in Barkley’s place last week and went 13 for 22 for 110 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
"I felt I was prepared. I just didn’t execute," Corp said solemnly.
Barkley and Corp have both been taking snaps in practice this week. USC hasn’t announced who will start against
Whichever player is under center Saturday, he’ll try to help the Trojans avoid losing consecutive games for the first time since a four-game skid from Sept. 8-Oct. 6, 2001, Carroll’s first season at the helm.
USC has won its last six meetings with
The Cougars got their first win of 2009 last Saturday, scoring 20 of the last 23 points in regulation before beating SMU 30-27 on Nico Grasu’s 39-yard field goal in overtime.
"The defense kept us in the game and put points on the board," Grasu said. "You can’t ask for anything more."
The defense, though, might have an added burden with James Montgomery missing the rest of the season. Coach Paul Wulff said the running back – who ran for 118 yards against
The Trojans hope for better injury news on Taylor Mays. The All-American safety missed his first career game last week because of the right knee ligament he sprained against the Buckeyes. His status for this week is uncertain.
Posted: 9/22/09 6:37PM ET