The USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins meet in week 13 college football action from the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UCLA vs USC Prediction.
USC Recap
The USC Trojans come into this one looking to build on a 28-20 win over Nebraska to get to 5-5 on the year. After this game, USC will head home to do battle with Notre Dame.
Trojans Trying To Gain Bowl Eligibility
Miller Moss has thrown for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions on 64.4% passing while Jayden Maiava has thrown for 325 yards, 3 touchdowns, and a pick on 71.7% passing. Woody Marks has a team-high 1,024 rushing yards with 9 TDs and Quinten Joyner has 371 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns. Makai Lemon leads the Trojans with 35 catches for 463 yards and 3 touchdowns while Zachariah Branch has 445 receiving yards on 41 grabs. Ja’Kobi Lane, Kyron Hudson, and Duce Robinson each have 300+ receiving yards with Lane and Robinson each logging 5 receiving TDs as well on the year. On defense, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold has a team-high 81 total tackles including 45 solo tackles while Eric Gentry has 2 sacks and Mason Cobb has 2 interceptions. USC’s defense as a whole has combined for 15 sacks and 9 interceptions this season.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- The road team has won each of the last four games between USC and UCLA.
- UCLA has lost five of its last six games at Rose Bowl.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the last four games between USC and UCLA.
- UCLA has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
UCLA Recap
The UCLA Bruins come into this one looking to bounce back from a 31-19 loss at the hands of Washington last time out to fall to 4-6 on the year. After this game, UCLA will welcome Fresno State to town for their final game of the season.
Bruins Looking To Win Out For Bowl Eligibility
Ethan Garbers has thrown for 2,173 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on 64.3% passing while T.J. Harden has rushed for a team-high 384 rushing yards. Moliki Matavao leads UCLA in receiving with 371 receiving yards while Harden has a team-high 35 receptions for 336 yards. Four more UCLA receivers have 200+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Carson Schwesinger has a team-high 109 total tackles. As a unit, UCLA has combined for 18 sacks and 10 interceptions so far this season.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- USC has lost each of its last four games as a road favorite.
- UCLA has won four of its last five November games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of USC’s last nine games.
- USC has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
UCLA vs USC Prediction
I’m with UCLA here. I think this is going to be a tight game as both teams are running out of time to get bowl eligibility and USC has been disappointing once again this season, making me wonder if Lincoln Riley’s seat is getting any hotter. UCLA’s improved their play over the last month and I’m not holding the loss to Washington against the Bruins as a lot of teams have gone and fallen short in Washington over the last few years. Give me the Bruins and the points.