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Free Rose Bowl Prediction: Trojans vs Nittany Lions Odds
Looking for USC Trojans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions free picks? Rose Bowl betting sees the Trojans taking on the Nittany Lions Monday, January 2nd 2017 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
2017 Rose Bowl
(9-3) USC Trojans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2)
Date: Monday, January 2nd
Time: 5:00 PM EST
Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
NCAA Football Spread: USC -7
NCAA Betting Total: Off
Live CFB Odds
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The 2017 Rose Bowl will feature two of the hottest teams in college football. Had the Trojans started Sam Darnold to start the season, USC would be in the college football playoff with only one loss.
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Like the Trojans, the Penn State Nittany Lions haven’t loss a game since September.
USC Trojans
As I said at the top, if Sam Darnold starts the season for the Trojans, USC is in the playoff. The Alabama game would have been much more competitive – obviously – and I don’t see the Trojans losing to Stanford or Utah.
That’s a decision that I would think Clay Helton would like to have back. I have to think Darnold clearly outperformed Max Browne in the spring, but gave Browne the nod because he’s an upperclassman.
That’s something Pete Carroll wouldn’t have done; Carroll would have gone with the most deserving player regardless of class.
Nevertheless, USC battled their way back to having an extremely successful season and have found their way back to the Rose Bowl. This is an absolute treat for Trojans fans and the future looks very bright in Southern California.
As for this game, I believe the Trojans have too many weapons and will ultimately overwhelm Penn State. The Trojans offensive line has gelled together nicely over the course of the season.
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The line is giving Darnold time in the pocket and the line is giving Ronald Jones II holes to run through as he has averaged 148 yards on the ground over the last five games.
On the defensive side of the ball, Penn State’s receivers will have trouble with both Adorree Jackson and Iman Marshall whp is quickly becoming one of the premier shut down corners in college.
Marshall is in Jackson’s shadow now, but he’ll be a corner to watch out for for the next couple of years; Marshall is an absolute stud.
We also saw how Wisconsin’s defense attacked and blew up Penn State’s offensive line. The Trojans will do that and then some. The Nittany Lions will have their hands full in this one.
This is a game that might end up looking a lot like the Rose Bowl of 2009 where the Trojans just completely dominated Penn State.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions didn’t get off to the best of starts. Penn State lost a tough one against their in-state rival Pittsburgh and followed that up with a tough, close win against Temple.
They followed that up with an embarrassing loss against the Michigan Wolverines to open up the conference season.
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After that it wasn’t an easy road as Penn State won a close, tough, contested contest against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The turning point, as you might expect, came against Ohio State where they upset the apple cart.
From then on Penn State found their groove. They won by an average of 45 to 18 points
All in all, if Penn State is going to win this game not only will Trace McSorely have to continue to ball out, but Penn State will need Saquan Barkley to be 100% healthy and ready to go.
If they don’t play at their best this game could potentially get ugly.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- USC is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- Penn State is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
- USC under is 7-1 in their last 8 games
- Penn State over is 5-1 in their last 6 games
Free Outback Bowl NCAA Football Prediction
This is a game I feel very strongly and confident that the USC Trojans will dominate this game.
You can’t take away the kind of year Penn State had; they haven’t lost since September, they are Big Ten Champions, but they haven’t seen a team this talented from top to bottom that the Trojans are – and that includes Ohio State.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: USC -7 ATS
Sam Darnold has been a game changer for this Trojans team.
Darnold has lifted this offense from the bottom to the top and has given the defense that swagger and edge that they lacked in September.
Outback Bowl Free Score Prediction: USC 38 – Penn State 20
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