Arizona State vs. USC Total Prediction
Is the betting total for Saturday’s Pac-12 matchup between the Arizona State Sun Devils and USC Trojans set too high? Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in L.A.
Game Snapshot
163 Arizona State Sun Devils at 164 USC Trojans
3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 27
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Trojans are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Sun Devils. The total, meanwhile, sits at 54.5 points. As of this writing, 56% of the public betting tickets wagered on this matchup are on the Trojans.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State senior QB Manny Wilkins completed 26-of-43 passes for 353 yards and an interception while rushing for 41 yards and a score in Thursday’s 20-13 loss to Stanford. Wilkins (6’3/200) did notch his third 300-yard passing game on the campaign, but this was not a particularly sharp performance. He was noticeably irritated with his receivers at times — especially during the second half — and after ASU squandered a potential game-tying drive to end the contest (due mostly to dreadful time management), the senior signal-caller launched the ball skyward in frustration. We love the competitiveness with Manny, always, but he’s had better days. He’ll try for one of those against USC in Week 9.
USC Trojans
USC HC Clay Helton announced Sunday that redshirt freshman QB Jack Sears will prepare as the starter for this week’s game against Arizona State. Sears, the third-stringer, is suddenly thrust into the spotlight with JT Daniels (head) and Matt Fink (ribs) injured. Fink has already been ruled out against ASU, so whether or not Sears gets his first career start will be determined by Daniels’ progress this week off a concussion against Utah. “I’m a big fan of Jack. I always have been,” said Helton. “If [Sears is] given the opportunities, I think he’ll do a great job.” If Daniels indeed can’t go, redshirt sophomore walk-on Holden Thomas would back up Sears against ASU.
Betting Trends
Arizona State
The under is 4-1 in the Sun Devils’ last five conference games.
USC
The over is 5-2 in the Trojans’ last seven home games.
Prediction
The Trojans have problems offensively, especially with both Daniels (Concussion) and Fink (ribs) injured. Even if Daniels plays, that doesn’t mean success for the USC offense. Teams have been hesitant to pass against Herm Edwards’ 3-3-5 defensive front and USC hasn’t run for much success this season as it is. Granted, Utah scored 40-plus points a week ago versus USC but ASU is averaging just 27.4 points per game this season, which ranks 78th in the nation. This total is too high.
College Football Prediction: Arizona State/USC under 54.5