Fresno State vs. USC Odds
LOS ANGELES, CA (The Spread) – Two non-conference, in-state rivals meet up Saturday at 7:30PM ET as No. 15 USC plays host to Fresno State on FOX.
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USC is coming off a 10-4 record in 2013 but comes into this year with new coach Steve Sarkisian. Fresno State was 11-2 last season and champions in the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs are in their third year under Tim DeRuyter. USC has won the last two meetings, but the teams have split the spread.
Trends show that USC is 4-1 against the spread in its last 5 home games, but just 2-7 ATS in its last 9 non-conference games. Fresno State comes in 2-6 ATS in its last 8 in the Pac-12. The Trojans have also hit the under in 13 of their last 17 non-conference games.
According to oddsmakers from Bovada.lv, USC is the clear favorite at home, as the Trojans have odds of -22 points against Fresno State. The over/under total has been listed at 58 points for this game (View Matchup). The opening odds for this game had USC favored by 21.5 points. The spread hit a low of 21 before moving up to 22. The over/under total opened at 57.5 points and simply bumped up to 58 during the week.
USC hasn’t had a great week entering this game. First came the bizarre story of cornerback Josh Shaw and his injury/lying about how it occurred. Then another player left the team and accused the coaching staff of being racist. USC needs to get on the field and play well, especially quarterback Cody Kessler, who will be the key to the team after throwing for 2,968 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago. Losing Shaw for the indefinite future hurts the defense, but USC is still strong on the back end. The key will be developing up front with three new starters.
Fresno State has plenty of question marks on offense, as it has just five starters back, but will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in either Brandon Connette or Brian Burrell. It is expected to be a game-time decision. Senior receiver Josh Harper will be the focal point of the offense after catching 79 passes for 1,011 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. On defense, Fresno State struggled last season, but it has eight starters back this year, including outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine, who had 10 sacks in 2013.
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In terms of Injuries, USC running back Tre Madden is questionable with a toe injury while guard Khaliel Rodgers is questionable with a knee injury. Fresno State running back Kurt Scoby is out with a concussion.
The Public Bets are backing USC, as the Trojans are getting 63% of the wagers with odds of -22 points against the Bulldogs on Saturday.
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