Betting Prediction & Odds For USC vs UCLA

The #7 Southern Cal. Trojans (9-1, 7-1) travel across Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins (8-2, 5-2) in a heated rivalry that pits two ranked foes against one another with a whole lot on the line. For USC, potential trips to the PAC12 Championship game and the college football playoff are at stake while UCLA will be fighting to keep their PAC12 Championship hopes alive. While there is a lot of unknowns, one thing is for certain: this year’s version of the “Battle of LA” is the best in years, so let’s take a look at the odds, preview, and prediction for this one. 

Southern Cal. Trojans vs UCLA Bruins Trojans Odds

The Trojans are -2.5 road favorites to the +2.5 underdog Bruins. USC is -130 on the money-line and UCLA is +115. The over/under is set at 76 points, the highest of the week 10 college football slate. 

Southern Cal. Trojans vs UCLA Preview & Prediction

After two weeks of not covering, the USC Trojans finally got back into the ATS win column with a 55-17 whooping of the Colorado Buffs. Like every week, the Trojans stepped up on offense and were questionable on defense. Luckily for the Trojans, the Buffs were 1-8 heading into the match-up. Losing starting back Travis Dye to a torn ACL, the Trojans will have to do some soul-searching and will have to rely on Raleek Brown and Austin Jones to fill the void going into one of their toughest games of the season. 

Perhaps looking too far ahead, the UCLA Bruins got in trouble early and couldn’t overcome a feisty Arizona Wildcats  team, losing 34-28 in their second loss of the season. The loss launched the Bruins back to #16 and out of the CFP picture. Despite playing well offensively, the Bruins defense looked lost against an Arizona team that has played much better than expected in November. Still, the loss was a disappointing blemish to what has been a stellar season for Chip Kelly and co. 

This game has all the makings of a classic. While UCLA hasn’t faced a quarterback like Caleb Williams and an offense like the Trojans, USC hasn’t seen a quarterback-running duo like Dorian Thompson Robinson and Zach Charbonnet. The running combination of this Bruins’ duo does not bode well for a Trojans defense that has allowed the 6th most rushing yards in the PAC12 this season. Averaging 115 yards per game, Charbonnet is going to be nearly impossible for the Trojans to stop, especially with the speedy DTR under center. Given the total is 76, defense will come at a premium in this game and that’s where the safest play lies.

While more money has been wagered on the Bruins to cover their spread than any other spread in college football for this week’s slate of games, betting against Caleb Williams – who is the best play-maker in CFB – is nonsensical (3,010, 31 TDS, 2 INTS). The Trojans are also expecting WR Mario Williams and LB Eric Gentry, a top defender, back in this one with star wideout Jordan Adisson still questionable. With the injury report looking better than expected for the Trojans, the money-line and spread look even less appetizing compared to the over. 

USC 56 | UCLA 48