Utah vs USC: The enigma of Cam Rising continues in Salt Lake City. The Utah quarterback injured his knee in a scrimmage, and once we got to the start of the 2023 campaign, he was only supposed to miss a couple of games. However, entering Week 8, he still has not taken a snap, and now Rising is at the point where he could miss one more game and still claim a redshirt. The sixth-year senior may request a medical hardship to gain a seventh year of eligibility. He has one more year of eligibility, potentially, so he could rejoin the Utes when they mark their first season in the Big 12. This week, the Utes head to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans, whom the Utes beat in the regular season and the Pac-12 Championship a year ago. The Trojans come in favored by a touchdown, even though their defense has permitted 130 points in the last three games. Two of those games turned into wins, including a comeback triple-overtime win over Arizona two weeks ago, but the luck ran out in South Bend last week, as Notre Dame demolished the Trojans, 48-20.
College Football Odds Utah vs USC: If you plan to include this game in your NCAAF betting for the week, don’t miss our preview.
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023, 8:00 pm ET
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: FOX
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: Hulu
NCAAF Odds: USC -7 / O/U 55.5
Why should you bet on the #14 Utah Utes?
Even with their two backup quarterbacks running the offense this year, the Utes have a 5-1 record with their lone loss coming to Oregon State. Last week, Utah beat Cal, 34-14, behind 158 yards of rushing from Sione Vaki – who only needed 15 carries to get that gaudy total. Bryson Barnes had the quarterbacking duties and went 15 of 21 for 128 yards and didn’t throw a pick. The running game picked up 6.0 yards per carry on the day, running the ball 53 times for 317 yards.
The defense was suffocating, permitting just 2.8 yards per carry and a pass completion rate of 48.4%. The Utah defense is fifth in the nation in fewest points permitted (12.2). They only allow 2.5 yards per carry for the season – and just 66.8 yards on the ground per game. They hae permitted 1,266 yards through the air, which ranks 32nd among FBS programs. They haven’t run into an offense as prolific as USC’s yet, but the Trojans’ defense is so porous that Utah should be able to keep up.
College Football Odds | Bet on the Utah Utes!
Why should you put your money on the #18 USC Trojans?
One reason why the Trojans fell at Notre Dame last week was poor ball security. Caleb Williams went 23 of 37 for 199 yards – with three interceptions, and he only averaged 5.4 yards per pass attempt. Marshawn Lloyd averaged 5.8 yards per carry, but he only ran the ball eight times. On the day, USC averaged 2.8 yards per rush, picking up 103 total yards on the ground. On the season, USC ranks second in the nation in scoring, putting up 47.3 points per game. Their passing game puts up 332.9 yards per game, eighth among FBS schools.
The defense is porous, though, permitting 30.0 points per game, 98th among FBS schools. Their pass defense is 91th in the nation, which means that whichever quarterback takes the field for Utah, they should be able to find open receivers down the field.
College Football Odds | Bet on the USC Trojans!
Utah vs USC Final Score and Prediction
I think USC will bounce back from the ball security issues that plagued them against Notre Dame, but Utah’s defense was able to slow down the Trojan attack in both of their meetings last year – and Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022. Williams is not the favorite to win that esteemed award for a second season in a row, and the Utes know the Trojans’ system. I’m not convinced that the Utes can win straight up, but I do think they make the Trojans win it on a late drive. I predict a final score of USC 30, Utah 27.
College Football Odds for National Championship | Top 20
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | +246 |
| Michigan Wolverines | +350 |
| Florida State Seminoles | +830 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +880 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | +1175 |
| Washington Huskies | +1225 |
| Oregon Ducks | +1350 |
| Oklahoma Sooners | +1425 |
| Texas Longhorns | +1850 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +1975 |
| USC Trojans | +2200 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | +10000 |
| Louisville Cardinals | +15000 |
| LSU Tigers | +15000 |
| Tennessee Volunters | +17000 |
| Oregon St. Beavers | +20000 |
| Utah Utes | +20000 |
| Miami (FL) Hurricanes | +22000 |
| Wisconsin Badgers | +24000 |
| Ole Miss Rebels | +24000 |
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Utah vs USC
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