USC Trojans at Oregon Ducks
Saturday, 11/19/11, 8:00 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Oregon -14.5
Current Betting Line: Oregon -14
Opening Total: 66
Current Total: 67.5
WagerMinds Game Detail
USC will be aiming to snap a two-game losing streak in its Pac-12 Conference series with the Oregon Ducks, allowing 100 combined points in those efforts, which includes a 53-32 defeat as six-point home underdogs a year ago.
The Trojans were thoroughly dominated in that contest, getting out-gained by 223 yards, something that second-year head coach Lane Kiffin knows can happen again. “It’s a very challenging week. They might be the hottest team in the country,” stated Kiffin in practice.
Junior quarterback Matt Barkley has piloted the program to back-to-back wins over the Colorado Buffaloes and Washington Huskies, bouncing back from a 56-48 triple-overtime loss to the Stanford Cardinal on Oct. 29. He ranks among the top 20 nationally in both passing efficiency and total offense.
Injuries are starting to pile up inside the Trojans’ locker room, as wide receiver Robert Woods has not practiced due to ankle and shoulder problems. He must be on the field in order for USC to have a chance at pulling off an upset, as he’s the only player in college football that ranks in the top 9 in receptions, receiving yards and all-purpose yards.
Bettors will find that the Trojans are 8-8 ATS on the road over the last two-plus seasons, while the ‘under’ is 17-10 in that situation.
Oregon comes into Saturday’s prime-time event on a nine-game win streak and back in the discussion of potentially playing in the BCS Championship Game for the second straight year. The team’s only defeat came in a 40-27 season-opening loss to the LSU Tigers as three-point neutral-site favorites.
The Ducks have the opportunity to clinch the North Division and extend their winning streak to 20 games against conference opponents. Quarterback Darron Thomas is a big part of that success and will put his 15-0 record on the line as a starting signal-caller against conference foes.
It all starts with the running game and junior LaMichael James for this offense, as he leads the nation in averaging 150.8 rushing yards per game, helping the unit score 48.9 points per game during its win streak. He has combined for 422 rushing yards and four touchdowns versus the Trojans.
Third-year head coach Chip Kelly will look to move to 8-0 against ranked opponents when playing inside Autzen Stadium, while the program has won 21 straight games overall inside the venue.
Don’t be afraid to lay this type of number with the Ducks being 19-7-2 ATS as a home favorite of 10.5 or more points.
Pick:
Oregon Ducks -14
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