Utah State Aggies (1-0) vs. USC Trojans (1-0)
September 7, 2024 11:00 pm EDT
The Line: USC Trojans -28.5 / Utah State Aggies +28.5; Over/Under: +61
(Get latest betting odds)
The Utah State Aggies and the USC Trojans meet in week 2 college football action from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC vs Utah State Prediction.
Utah State Recap
The Utah State Aggies come into this one looking to build on their season-opening 36-14 win over Robert Morris in their last matchup. After this matchup, the Aggies will head home and welcome the Utah Utes to town for an in-state rivalry matchup.
Barnes Shines In Victory
Bryson Barnes threw for 198 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception on 11 of 21 passing while also rushing for a team-high 88 yards and a TD. Spencer Petras threw for 145 yards, a TD, and 2 INTs on 10 of 15 passing while Robert Briggs Jr. had a team-high 88 rushing yards of his own. Rahsul Faison added 78 rushing yards and Herschel Turner chipped in 44 rushing yards as well. Kyrese White led the Aggies with 131 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns while Jalen Royals had a team-high 5 grabs for 77 yards with a touchdown as well in the win.
On defense, Jordan Vincent and Jon Ross Maye each had a team-high 10 total tackles while Blaine Spires and Cian Stone each had a sack and Ike Larsen added an interception as well in the victory.
Why the Utah State Aggies will win
- USC has lost each of its last three games at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- Utah State has won three of its last four road games.
- USC has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Utah State has covered the spread in three of its last four games against AP-ranked teams.
USC Recap
The USC Trojans will be out to build on their rock-solid 27-20 win over LSU to start the year. After this game, USC will head to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan in their Big Ten conference debut.
Moss Proves To Be The Real Deal
Miller Moss threw for 378 yards and a touchdown on 27 of 36 passing while Woody Marks rushed for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Kyron Hudson had a team-high 5 grabs for 83 yards while Zachariah Branch and Lake McRee each chipped in 56 receiving yards with McRee adding 5 receptions of his own. Ja’Kobi Lane also added 3 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown in the win.
On defense, Kamari Ramsey led the Trojans with 9 total tackles while Mason Cobb added an interception for the USC defense in the winning effort.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- USC has won each of its last 10 home openers.
- Utah State has lost 10 of its last 11 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Utah State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- USC has covered the spread in each of its last four September home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
USC vs Utah State Prediction
I’m on USC here. Of course, the lookahead factor could be in play for USC with their conference debut against the defending national champions coming up, but I think there’s just too much of a talent gap here for Utah State to compete. The Aggies were fairly careless with the ball against Robert Morris and they may not have a choice here against USC. The Trojans’ defense looks to have greatly improved from what we saw last year, and like I said, Miller Moss looks like he’s legit. I’m not going to overreact after one game, but I think that USC gets it done here. Give me the Trojans in a beatdown win.
