Syracuse vs USC Free Week 3 College Football Pick + Betting Preview
After starting a season 2-0 for the first time since 1999, the Syracuse Orange will travel across the country to meet USC in Los Angeles this weekend in a non-conference battle of unbeatens.
This should be an intriguing matchup as despite the difference in talent-level, both teams have obtained victories in similar thrilling finishes in their first two contests of the 2011 campaign.
Orange v Trojans
Venue/Stadium: The Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA
Time/Date: 8 pm EDT, Saturday, September 17, 2011
CFB Odds From: 5 Dimes
Moneyline: OFF
Spread (ATS): USC -16 1/2
Over/Under: 47
Click here for the ATS Gambling Report for this game!
Most critics had written off the Orange after the team lost four starters on offense and a total of six on defense over the summer. However, they must not have factored in returning starting quarterback Ryan Nassib into the mix.
Nassib has played possessed, and after lighting up the scoreboard with 178 yards and three touchdowns in Syracuse’s thrilling 36-29 overtime win over Wake Forest in their opener, he then followed up by engineering a tie-breaking fourth-quarter scoring drive to beat FCS-foe Rhode Island, 21-14 last weekend.
But in spite of Nassib’s heroics and an offense that seems to have found its groove, the Syracuse defense, although doing enough to help the team to a undefeated start, has put up just mediocre numbers, allowing 21.5 points per game and 336 yards of total offense. They have however held opponents to just an average of 96 yards rushing per game and has posted six sacks.
That kind of pressure will be key this weekend as the Orange tangle with USC quarterback Matt Barkley, who is averaging 284 yards passing in the first two games and has tossed four touchdowns in two close games that should have been blowouts. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Syracuse secondary will have its hands full with on the country’s best receivers on the young season, Robert Woods, who has hauled in 25 passes (second in the nation) for 279 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s not just the passing game that has carried the Trojans. They have also benefited from having running back Marc Tyler back on the field and the solid pay of the Trojans defense that is only giving up 15.5 points per game, and is finally playing well against the run allowing 95.5 yards per game and 3.2 ypc.
Southern California will need its offense to stay on pace for an entire 60 minutes if they want to finish its three game home stand with another win. Something that didn’t happen in their first two games as they were held scoreless in the second half against Minnesota and managed just one offensive touchdown in the final two quarters against Utah after a fast start.
NCAA Gambling Trends:
Under is 20-8-1 in SYR last 29 road games.
Under is 20-8-1 in SYR last 29 games on grass.
Under is 15-7 in SYR last 22 games overall.
Under is 24-11-1 in USC last 36 home games.
Matt’s Prediction: USC 27, Syracuse 24–
Even though Trojans offense is only going to get better with Tyler returning to the backfield, I don’t see this being a big margin win for the Trojans. Nassib is a dangerous player, and USC’s defenses has showed its share of ups and downs.
While I do think the Lane Kiffin’s boys scratch out a win, the wager has to be on Syracuse to win it by less than the current 16 /12 points offered.
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