Stanford vs. USC Prediction
Can No. 23 Stanford manage a slight upset in its first Pac-12 game of the season when the Cardinal go on the road to face USC tonight at 10:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
385 Stanford vs. 386 USC
Saturday, September 7, 2019
10:30PM ET – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, USC is listed as the slight favorite in this game, as the Trojans are getting odds of -3 points against Stanford. The over/under total is currently listed at 43.5 points. The public betting currently has 69 percent going on Stanford as the road underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
USC loses Daniels
The USC football team started its 2019 season with a 31-23 win over Fresno State last weekend. The Trojans were a 14.5-point favorite going in, so they didn’t cover, but they did go over a 50-point total.
The Trojans looked improved on offense in the win, putting up 447 yards of offense. However, they suffered a big loss as quarterback JT Daniels suffered an ACL injury. He is out for the rest of the year after throwing for 215 yards and a touchdown. Kedon Slovis now takes over. He was 6 of 8 passing for 57 yards and an interception against Fresno State. Tyler Vaughns caught 11 passes for 150 yards to lead the offense while Vavae Malepeai rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
Stanford to be without Costello
The Stanford Cardinal opened the season with a nice 17-7 win at home over Northwestern last weekend. Stanford was able to cover the 6.5-point spread while going well under the 46.5-point total.
Defense was the story of Stanford’s win last weekend, as it held Northwestern to just 210 total yards while forcing four turnovers. Offensively, the Cardinal put up 365 yards. K.J. Costello threw for 152 yards and a touchdown on 16 of 20 passing, but he had to leave the game with a head injury. Costello has been ruled out for tonight’s game. Davis Mills will get the start in his place. He threw for 81 yards against Northwestern. Cameron Scarlett led the ground game with 97 yards on 22 carries.
College Football Betting Trends
USC
The Trojans are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games following a failed cover.
Stanford
The Cardinal are 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine road games and 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games against a team with a winning record.
Prediction:
The Cardinal are without their starting QB, but so is USC. Stanford isn’t a team that should be overlooked because of an injury. The Cardinals have shown more consistency for success than USC over recent years and I think David Shaw’s bunch will take pride in being overlooked again. Stanford has covered in five of its last six against USC and I will go with them getting points against this USC team that still has a lot of questions.
College Football Week 2 Prediction: Stanford +3
Related: Stanford vs. USC Total Prediction