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NCAA Football

Week 1: USC vs. Hawaii Preview & Pick

On Thursday September 2nd its the USC Trojans vs. Hawaii Warriors. Odds have the Trojans listed as 21-point favorites . The game’s total is sitting at 54, here is a preview, free pick plus the college football betting angle.

Southern Cal Trojans vs Hawaii Warriors Gambling Preview + Predictions

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Date/Time: Thursday, September 2, 11:00 PM ET
Venue: Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI.
#14 USC Trojans at Hawaii Warriors Lines
Money Line: Not available yet
Spread: USC -21
Over/Under: 53.5
Bet Now At Bookmaker.com —>

Lane Kiffin will make his head coaching debut when No. 14 USC travels to Honolulu to kick off against the Hawaii Warriors at Aloha Stadium in their opening NCAAF game of the 2010 season.

The Trojans have not lost to the Warriors in six meetings, and have amassed a staggering 60-plus points in each of the past three match ups.

While no one really expects the boys of Troy to be as dominating as in years past, expecting them to beat Hawaii is. However, with the amount of controversy surrounding the team this past offseason, bettors my think twice about the Trojans dedication to a season where they’re prohibited from playing in a Bowl game combined with the fact that they will be without coaching mastermind Pete Carroll.

The Trojans will be led by true sophomore quarterback Matt Barkley, who will start his second season under center.

Barkley tossed for nearly 3,000 yards and 15 TDs in his freshman year, but with favorite target WR Damian Williams gone, you have to wonder if the rest of the receiving corps can shoulder the load. Another key loss is RB Joe McKnight, who was drafted by the Jets in round 4.

His absence is likely to seriously impact the Trojans offensive attack.

After much speculation that senior Allen Bradford would be chosen to replace Knight, junior Marc Tyler beat out the team’s top returning rusher earlier this month, and will start against Hawaii on Thursday. Tyler missed all but one game last season due to a toe injury, but racked up 198 yards and a touchdown in limited duty as a freshman.

Freshmen Robert Woods, a receiver, and Nickell Robey, a cornerback, also have earned starting roles. Sophomore Devon Kennard beat out returning starter Chris Galippo for the starting middle linebacker spot.

Meanwhile, the Warriors, who finished the 2009 season 6-7 overall, features an aerial assault that was third nationally in passing and 14th in total offense in 2009.

Leading the way offensively for the Warriors is QB Bryant Moniz who threw for 2,396 yards and 14 TDs last season. He will have at his disposal veteran target wide receivers Greg Salas, Kealoha Pilares and Rodney Bradley.

Salas was an All-WAC first teamer with 106 catches and eight touchdowns while ranking fourth nationally in receiving yards and sixth in receptions.

One area of concern for Hawaii will be their o-line. They have four new starters who are individually, legit D-I linemen. They’re all 295 pounds plus, and the tackles are both 6-foot-4. But how quickly they can come together?

The Warriors pretty much have the same defense that gave up 29.5 PPG last season and struggled against the run, giving up 200 yards or more per game.

They do however bring back their entire secondary led by safety Spencer Smith, whose six interceptions ranked 11th nationally in 2009.

The last time these two schools faced off was in 2005 and USC won 63-17, following their 2003, 63-31 thumping of the Warriors. Personally, I don’t see how USC doesn’t win this one. Hawaii has a mediocre running game at best and will have to rely on Salas’ ability to keep the Trojans honest with its quick pass offense.

If USC’s secondary can step it up in this one, this game could be over by the half.

USC vs. Hawaii Betting Trends

Southern Cal is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Southern Cal’s last 7 games on the road
Southern Cal is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Southern Cal’s last 5 games
Hawaii is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Hawaii is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Hawaii’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Hawaii’s last 6 games at home

Free Pick: USC -21.

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Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.