USC and Arizona State meet in this Saturday night in a nationally televised matchup. Each team is looking for their first conference win as both dropped their Pac-12 season openers. Let’s take a look at how each team stacks up.
USC Trojans vs. Arizona State Sun Devils College Football Preview
College Football Betting Odds from WagerWeb
College Football Betting Favorite: Arizona State -3.5
Total: 49
Over the past four years, I’ve cashed in on 56% of my college football selections. Big plays already up for the weekend including a rare 5 Star TOP Play of the month! Get all my guaranteed sports picks here. Let’s get right to this free college football pick.
USC Trojans
Former perennial power house USC has opened the season with a 3-1 record. Their only loss came in week two against an improved Washington State team. USC has won their only road game of the year, a 30-13 victory at Hawaii on August, 29.
The USC offense has had a rough start to the season. The team currently ranks 95th in the country in points scored at just 22.3 points per game. The passing game has been even more disappointing ranking 108th overall. The USC defense has been markedly better in the opening weeks. They’re giving up a mere 11.0 points per game, good for 11th in the country.
The bright spot in the USC offense this year has been sophomore running back Tre Madden. Madden has gone over the 100 yard mark in three of the teams four games including a 151 yard performance against Washington State.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State has started the season strong with a blowout win over Sacramento State and a narrow victory over #20 Wisconsin. The team’s only loss came at #5 Stanford last week.
Arizona State’s hot start can be credited to its high powered passing attack. The Sun Devils rank 8th in the nation with an average of 361.3 yards per game through the air. The team’s rushing attack has not gotten off the ground yet averaging barely over 100 yards per game. In contests against FBS opponents the Sun Devils are giving up 29 points per game, but have played two high powered offenses.
Leading the Sun Devils has been quarterback Taylor Kelly. Kelly has already thrown for over 1,000 yards on the season. He has been spreading the ball around with five receivers catching touchdown passes so far this season. Running back Marion Grice hasn’t put up huge yardage totals, but has an impressive six touchdowns already. Against Wisconsin Grice carried the ball 22 times for 84 yards and crossed the goal line four separate times.
USC has dominated the series between these two teams winning nine out of the previous ten matchups. Arizona State’s lone win came two years ago in 2011. Both teams have losing records against the spread this year with USC at 1-3 and ASU at 1-2. The key to this game could be the difference between ASU’s high powered passing game and USC’s stingy defense.
Free Pick: Arizona State -3.5
The Arizona State Sun Devils offense has too many weapons for USC. Until USC can prove capable of moving the ball on a good defense, it will be tough to back them. Look for the Sun Devils to bounce back from last week’s loss at Stanford.
For more free sports picks check back with Hunter Sports Picks all year long. Also, follow me on twitter and sign up for free newsletter in the upper right for even more free picks!
