The USC Trojans lost and failed to cover the NCAA football betting spread against the Utah Utes last season thanks to a botched punt, costing them not just the game but also a shot at the Pac-12 championship. The memory remains in Southern California almost a year later. “That Utah game was, for sure, like the turning point of our season,” tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe said. “That was a tough game, but we’re a different team,” running back Ronald Jones II added. “We’re ready to get that taste out of our mouth.”
It's October. Time to define who we are. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/CWT1hTYcmx
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) October 12, 2017
- Date: October 14th
- Time: 8:05 PM
- Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Online sportsbook Vegas odds College Football Betting :
Utah +13 (-110) 53 ½ (-110) +400
USC -13 (-110) 53 ½ (-110) -500
Forget ethical wins – USC desperately needs more ATS victories
“I’m elated to see them score an ethical win,” Sandra Ramirez of Santa Maria writes in a letter to the editor of the LA Times, referring to how the University of Southern California rejected a $5 million pledge from film producer and deviant Harvey Weinstein. But what USC really needs is an ATS win. The Trojans have won their last 10 home games versus teams with a winning record and are 5-1 SU and lead the Pac 12 South Division this season, but have covered just once this season, in week 2 against Stanford. That is a 1-4 ATS record all the while being the favourite. Utah is, meanwhile, 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall, 4-0 ATS against a team with a winning record and, 5-0 ATS in their last five on the road. The only saving graces for USC is that the Utes are 0-3 ATS in its last 3 games on the road against USC and that the local team is 6-0 against the NCAA football betting spread in the last six games between these two schools.
Troy versus the Trojans
Utah QB Troy Williams had, against the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday’s 20-23 loss, one of those days that, according to Utes offensive coordinator Troy Taylor, every quarterback would like to have back. Williams was 20 of 39 for 238 yards with two picks and one TD.
“Part of being an athlete is you’ve got to respond and come back. The only way to get confidence is to play better. He’s a tough kid and he came out today ready to battle,” Taylor said.
And Williams can draw confidence in the fact that he led Utah in the aforementioned win over USC last season. There’s no guarantee, however, that Williams will start. Head coach Kyle Whittingham stated that Williams, Cooper Bateman, and Tyler Huntley, who was sidelined against Arizona and didn’t play against Stanford, are all in the conversation. Whoever starts, though, will most likely target wide receiver Darren Carrington II, the Utes’ chief offensive weapon. The total has gone under in seven of Utah’s last eight games and in the Trojans’ last four straight, so the 53½-point NCAA football betting total for Saturday might be a bit too steep.