The Arizona State Sun Devils (+7) are heading west to face the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This conference matchup kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC is scheduled to televise the action. When the two squads met a year ago, USC knocked Arizona State off easily 48-17.
Betting Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils at USC Trojans
Arizona State is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 7 points. The Sun Devils are also receiving +210 moneyline odds while the Trojans are -270. If one side catches a lucky break early on it’ll result in a nice betting scenario in-game. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 54 points.
The early action has moved toward the Trojans, as the line opened at -4. The game’s total hasn’t moved after being initially posted at 54.
The Sun Devils have lost 2.6 units so far in 2018 and are 4-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-4.
The Trojans have gained 0.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 4-3.
The Sun Devils are 3-4 straight up (SU), including 1-3 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Trojans are 4-3 SU overall and are also 3-2 SU in conference play.
The Sun Devils are looking to get back in stride after a 20-13 loss to Stanford last week in which Manny Wilkins completed 26-of-43 passes for 353 yards and one interception. Wilkins (41 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one TD) also led the ground attack and was complemented by Eno Benjamin (38 yards on 11 carries). N’Keal Harry (eight receptions, 91 yards) and Kyle Williams (five catches, 46 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, Utah knocked off this USC team by a score of 41-28. The Trojans defensive unit let the Utes pass for 341 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 200 yards. Zack Moss had a good showing, posting 136 rushing yards on 25 attempts for Utah. As a group, the Trojans collectively completed 12-of-23 passes for 132 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. JT Daniels went six-for-16 for 89 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Matt Fink was six-of-seven for 43 yards and one touchdown. Stephen Carr (23 yards on 12 rush attempts) and Vavae Malepeai (44 yards on 10 carries, one TD) handled the running game as Michael Pittman Jr. (four receptions, 107 yards, one TD) and Velus Jones Jr. (three catches, four yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Each team sports a remarkably similar (51-49) run-pass ratio on the season. The Sun Devils have rushed for 162.1 yards per game (including 197.3 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 12 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Trojans are totaling 116.9 rush yards per game (120.8 in conference) and have 11 total rushing TDs.
Based on the numbers so far, it appears the Sun Devils might have an edge when it comes to RB effectiveness, as their backfield has logged 4.7 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 3.7 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Trojans have registered 3.6 yards per carry and allowed 4.1 YPC to opponents.
The Sun Devils offensive scheme has tallied 257.0 yards per contest in the air overall (210.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 11 passing TDs so far. The Trojans have recorded 239.3 pass yards per game (214 in the Pac-12) and have nine total pass scores.
Arizona State has let opponents rush for an average of 157.3 yards and pass for 223.9 yards per game. The USC D has allowed 228.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 158.7 yards per game to opposing runners. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Sun Devils have given up an ANY/A of 6.30 to opposing QBs, while the Trojans are allowing an ANY/A of 6.27.
Wilkins has been more productive than Daniels of late, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 7.47for the season (and 7.97 over the last two outings). Daniels’ ANY/A is 5.62 for the season and 4.72 over his past two games.
Arizona State Sun Devils vs. USC Trojans Free Pick
SU Winner: USC, ATS Winner: USC, O/U: Under
