Free NCAA Football Prediction: Owls vs. Trojans Odds
Looking for Rice Owls vs. USC Trojans free picks? College football betting sees the Owls taking on the Trojans on Saturday, September 27th at LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 1 predictions like this Rice USC free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 1
(0-0) Rice Owls vs. USC Trojans (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 27th, 2022
Time: 6:00 pm EST
Venue: LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Rice +33 / USC -33 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Owls +OFF / Trojans -OFF
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 61.5
The No. 14 ranked USC Trojans will host the Rice Owls on Saturday, as the Lincoln Riley era begins in Los Angeles.
Both teams were underwhelming last season with 4-8 records but come into this season with much different expectations.
Rice Owls
The Rice Owls went 4-8 in 2021 and have now not had a winning season since going 8-5 in 2014. As unimpressive as four wins may sound, it was the highest win total that the Owls have accumulated under head coach Mike Bloomgren who has an 11-31 overall record since taking over in 2018. The Owls welcome back seven starters on both sides of the ball this season.
The expectations are low again, as Rice’s over/under win total at DraftKings is set a just 3.5. The Conference USA media poll, Phil Steele Magazine, and Athlon Sports all also have the Owls predicted to finish 10th out of 11 teams in the conference.
The Owls’ quarterback situation is not stable, but they have announced that Wiley Green will get the starting nod against USC on Saturday. Green has thrown for 1,849 yards in four years of action as mostly a backup with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on a 53.6% completion percentage.
USC Trojans
According to the preseason media poll, the Trojans were predicted to finish third in Pac-12, and DraftKings has their over/under win total set at 9.5 heading into the first game.
This season USC begins a new era with Lincoln Riley who went 55-10 in five seasons at Oklahoma. Riley has eight starters back on offense and three on defense from last year’s team.
The defense has lineman Tuli Tuipulotu back who had 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season and is the No. 4 rated draft-eligible DT.
The Trojan roster has also been upgraded through the transfer portal, which includes Oklahoma transfer quarterback Caleb Williams, who followed Riley after throwing for 1,912 yards with 21 touchdowns against just 4 picks, and rushed for 442 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Sooners last season. Another huge addition that USC picked up transfer wide receiver Jordan Addison who made 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns last year with Pittsburgh.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Rice was 4-8 last season
- USC was 4-8 last season
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: Rice
The number here is big, but there’s not much to like about Rice here at all. Coming into the season, Athlon Sports has USC rated as the ninth best team in the country and Rice just 123rd overall.
The Trojans can pretty much pick their number here and could be up by 35 points at the half. Even if USC lets up, the second and third stringers here will still have something to prove.
Take USC to cover big.
4* Free Week 1 NCAA Betting Pick: USC ATS
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