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NCAA Football

#5 Ohio State vs. #1 Southern Cal – Lines \ Trends

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Southern Cal Trojans will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC is favored by 11 1/2, the total is 44 1/2.

Clash of the Titans – Ohio State Buckeyes at USC Trojans

It’s the first huge showdown of the year in college football, as the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0 SU, 0-1 ATS) take the field against the USC Trojans (1-0 SU & ATS) in an inter-conference game that some think could be a preview of the BCS title match, set to kick off at 8 PM ET on Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum (natural turf).

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: USC -11, Total 44.5

Here are some of the NCAA football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* OSU has won 22 of its last 25 games SU
* OSU has covered 11 of its last 14 road games
* OSU has won 13 of its last 14 road games SU
* USC has covered five of its last six games
* USC has won its last six games SU
* USC has played nine of its last 12 games UNDER the total
* USC has covered eight of its last 11 home games
* USC has won 13 of its last 14 home games SU
* USC has played six of its last seven home games UNDER the total

Chris Wells’ foot injury has become a major story surrounding this game, and for good reason. Wells, who was on of the pre-season front-runners for the Heisman Trophy, got injured in the season opener against Youngstown State, and didn’t play last week in the other warm-up against Ohio. Coach Jim Tressel said a few days ago that he would probably play, but Wells did not respond well after a workout on Wednesday and he was termed “doubtful.” Of course, in the college game, those designations don’t have to hold, so he could actually be a game-time decision. But if he plays, how effective will he be?

And while we’re on the subject, how effective will it be to give Terelle Pryor, the hotly-recruited quarterback prospect, his true baptism under fire against possibly the best team in the country? Pryor, who was referred to in one magazine article as “the greatest high school athlete ever” should see some playing time, but we’re thinking it won’t be an appearance of maximum impact. The “rock and a hard place” for OSU is that Todd Boeckman, while steady, isn’t going to mow down the quick, athletic USC defense with his safety-first passing approach, although a big performance by him would enhance HIS Heisman possibilities.

OSU, as you know already, has lost the last two national title games, and those decisive defeats were against SEC schools that beat them in the game of quickness and speed. USC is built very much like that. We wouldn’t doubt that Mark Sanchez, who was 26 for 35 for 338 yards and three TD’s against Virginia, will have rougher sledding against this Ohio State defense that is populated with future first-round draft picks. But USC’s stop unit at least its equal, and with all hands on deck the Trojans are the better “pitcher” in this slugfest.

We’ll lay the points with USC, the 11-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA college football betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: USC -11 ***

Sportsbook.com Ohio St. + USC Preview – 8pm ET ABC

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.