The No. 24 USC Trojans (-4.5) are set to take on the BYU Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. This critical afternoon game will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET and ABC will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: BYU Cougars vs. USC Trojans
BYU is projected to play the role of underdog and is currently getting 4.5 points in this Saturday game. In order to take the favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to put down $200 to net $100 back on the Trojans (-200). The Cougars are getting +170 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 52 points, and some good in-game betting opportunities may present themselves during the matchup.
The game’s total has shifted up after originally being set at 51.5. The opening line of 4.5 has remained consistent.
The Trojans have gained 2.0 units so far and are 1-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-0.
The Cougars have gained 0.6 units this season. The team is 1-1 ATS and has an O/U record of 1-1.
The Trojans are 2-0 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Cougars are 1-1 SU.
The Trojans are looking to remain undefeated following a 45-20 victory over Stanford last week where they allowed the Cardinal to pass for 237 yards and rush for 98 yards. Cameron Scarlett had a productive day for the Cardinal in that one with 82 rushing yards and a score on 17 attempts. On the offense, Kedon Slovis completed 28-of-33 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Vavae Malepeai (42 rushing yards on 12 attempts, two TDs) led the ground attack in the win. Amon-Ra St. Brown (eight receptions, 97 yards, two TDs) and Michael Pittman Jr. (six catches, 82 yards) handled the receiving duties.
BYU enters this one after just earning a 29-26 win over Tennessee. The team’s defense allowed the Volunteers to rush for 242 yards on 49 attempts. Ty Chandler had a productive showing in the defeat, posting 154 rushing yards on 26 attempts for Tennessee. For BYU, Zach Wilson completed 19-of-29 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown. Ty’Son Williams (92 rushing yards on 17 attempts, two TDs) led the ground game in the win while Micah Simon (seven receptions, 127 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
When looking at offensive play-calling, each squad sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. USC has run the ball on 46.0 percent of its offensive possessions while BYU has an overall rush percentage of 45.2. The Trojans have produced 145 rush yards per game and have five touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Cougars are logging 99.5 rushing yards per game and have three total rush TDs.
Based on the early season results, it seems like the Trojans might hold an edge when it comes to RB efficiency. Their backfield has logged 4.5 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 4.3 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Cougars have recorded 3.8 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 5.2 to opponents.
The Trojans offense has averaged 324.5 yards through the air overall and has four passing scores so far. The Cougars have recorded 220 pass yards per outing and have just one pass TDs.
Defensively, USC has allowed 152 rush yards and 246.5 pass yards per game. The BYU defense has given up 141 yards per game to opposing passers and 252.0 yards per game on the ground. The Trojans are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.31 to opposing QBs, while the Cougars have given up a 6.02 ANY/A.
Slovis probably has the edge over Wilson in this one, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 12.74for the year (and 10.60 over the past two games). Wilson’s ANY/A is 7.09 for the year and 5.21 across his past two outings.
USC Trojans vs. BYU Cougars NCAA Tip
SU Winner: BYU, ATS Winner: BYU, O/U: Over
Team Betting Trends
- The USC D has sacked opposing quarterbacks six times this season. BYU has produced one sack.
- BYU has lost one fumble in 2019 while the USC offense has lost three.
- The Trojans offense has recorded two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cougars have accounted for one such play.
- Both defenses have allowed one pass play of 40 or more yards. The USC defense has given up three pass plays of 30+ yards while BYU has yielded one such plays.
- The USC offense has created four rushing plays of 20+ yards, while BYU has created one such runs.
- Both defenses have allowed three rushing play of 20+ yards. The Trojans have given up 10 running plays of 10+ yards while the Cougars have given up 15 such plays.
