USC Trojans at UCLA Bruins NCAAF Betting Preview

A classic PAC-12 rivalry renews on Saturday as the No. 15 USC Trojans (4-0) take on the UCLA Bruins (3-2). This one will be held in Pasadena, Calif., at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is at 7:30 P.M. Eastern.
The Trojans are currently in first in the PAC-12, but with Colorado also being undefeated, a victory Saturday is crucial to secure the conference title. In their last game, USC beat Washington State 38-13 at home. In the victory, quarterback Kedon Slovis threw for an impressive 287 yards and five touchdowns. The Trojans will look to keep rolling Saturday against UCLA.
Speaking of the Bruins, they come into this one on a two-game winning streak, as they have beaten Arizona (27-10) and Arizona State (25-18) over that span. While they are 3-2 overall, they are 2-0 as the home team and will look to keep that streak going against USC.
Despite being the road team, USC is currently the favorite in this one. They are -144 to win while UCLA’s moneyline sits at +118. The spread features the Bruins +2.5, and the over/under for total points is 62.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, these two teams have been pretty comparable. USC currently ranks 29th in the country in scoring averaging 33.2 points per game. UCLA ranks 33rd, averaging 32.6 points per game.
Defensively, it is once again USC that holds the upper hand. The Trojans are currently allowing 21.8 points per game to opponents, while UCLA allows an average of 24.8 points.
USC Looks To Finish Perfect In The Conference
USC has had an excellent season thus far, and they are trying to avoid a blemish on their record in the regular-season finale. Albeit in a condensed schedule, the Trojans hope to finish the regular season perfect in the conference and improve their national ranking.
In a more extended season, Slovis might be in the Heisman conversation. He and the rest of the passing game have been solid this season. Slovis has thrown for 1,257 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just two interceptions through four games.
Through the air, Slovis’ biggest weapons have been Amon-Ra St. Brown (331 yards receiving, four touchdowns), Drake London (330 yards receiving, one touchdown), Tyler Vaughns (254 yards receiving, two touchdowns), and Bru McCoy (150 yards receiving, one touchdown).
The Trojans have gotten decent production via three different running backs. Markese Stepp (138 yards), Stephen Carr (131 yards), and Vavae Malepeai (128 yards) have all gotten relatively equal carries, and each has scored two touchdowns on the season.
UCLA Looks For Upset Over Conference Rival
UCLA has had a bit of an up-and-down season, and it is reflected in their record. Their offense has been solid, scoring at 25 points in every game and 34 or more in three of them.
Their defense usually determines the outcome, though. In UCLA’s two losses, they gave up 38 points or more. In their three wins, they have given up 18 points or fewer. They have the team to compete with the Trojans; it is just finding that consistency on the defensive end.
Offensively, the Bruins are led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He has thrown for 691 yards, eight touchdowns, and just two interceptions. Thompson-Robinson has also rushed for 210 yards and another three scores. Their leading rushers are Demetric Felton and Brittain Brown. Felton has rushed 111 times for 578 yards and five touchdowns, while Brown has rushed 46 times for 290 yards and three scores.
Taking USC To Win And Cover
This one may come down to which UCLA defense shows up. While they have more than enough offense to keep up with the Trojans, if their defense gives up easy points to Slovis and company, it could be a long night.
I think this one will be close throughout, but I ultimately see the Trojans pulling away when it is all said and done.
FREE PICK: USC Trojans (-2.5).