Minnesota vs USC Free Week 1 College Football Pick + Betting Preview
The USC Trojans open the 2011 season, serving their second of a two-year NCAA sanction, but it won’t deter them in wanting to get off to a good start as they attempt to win their 14th consecutive home opener when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday in Los Angeles.
Minnesota vs. Southern California Gambling
Venue/Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Time/Date: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, September 3, 2011
CFB Odds From: 5 Dimes
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): -21.5 -110
Over/Under: 51.5 -110
Click here for the ATS Gambling Report for this game!
The Gophers, who are in rebuilding mode under new coach Jerry Kill, formerly of Northern Illinois, have their own goal–beating the Trojans for the first time since 1955. USC defeated Minnesota last year, 32-21, in Minneapolis.
Kill has inherited a cupboard mostly bare after coach Tim Brewster, who was fired after posting three losing seasons in his four-year tenure, failed to stock up on quality players.
Depth is an issue, and Kill has been forced to make several desperate roster shifts including moving junior MarQueis Gray to the quarterback position from wide receiver in a move that could ultimately determine how much success the Golden Gophers will have in 2011.
However, until MarQueis settles into his new assignment he will need to rely on an impressive trio of freshmen running backs in Devon Wright, Lamonte Edwards, and Donnell Kirkwood. At 5-9, Kirkwood is a bulldozer using his acceleration, balance and power to bounce off tackles especially in short yardage situations. Which is likely to be the Gophers plan against a mediocre USC defense that gave up nearly 150 rushing yards per game in 2010.
Meanwhile, junior linebacker Keanon Cooper who racked up 40 tackles last season will look to keep the Trojans in check.
His biggest concern will be third-year quarterback Matt Barkley who among 13 returning starters, should provide plenty of leadership and offensive firepower to keep the Gophers secondary busy all day. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Barkley went 17 for 26 for 192 yards with two TDs, while running back Allen Bradford racked up 131 yards and a score in last year’s meeting, and will be relied on to make up for an absent Marc Tyler who won’t play against Minnesota due to a suspension.
But it will be the Trojans’ defense that will need to show the most improvement after surrounding 26.7 points per game in 2010. They must make big strides for the Trojans to be elite once again.
NCAA Gambling Trends:
Over is 6-2-1 in MINN last 9 games overall.
USC are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big Ten.
Under is 9-3 in USC last 12 games in September.
Under is 7-3 in USC last 10 vs. Big Ten.
Matt’s Prediction: USC 35, Minnesota 17 –
I expect Minnesota to play a solid first half much like they did last year, but this year’s young squad will show its weakness down the stretch as the Trojans snatch their first win of he season.
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