USC Trojans vs. Arizona State Sun Devils – NCAA Football Free Betting Pick

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The No. 24 Sun Devils (-2) are prepared to host their in-conference foe USC Trojans in Arizona State. Kickoff for this big showdown is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ABC.

Betting Preview: Arizona State Sun Devils vs. USC Trojans

In this Saturday Pac-12 game, Arizona State has been tabbed as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 2 points. The Trojans are also receiving +100 moneyline odds while the Sun Devils are -120. There will probably be some solid live betting opportunities for this contest, and Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 56 points.

The original odds have shifted, as the line opened at 1. The game’s over/under has not changed after it was set initially at 56.

The Trojans are 4-5 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.3 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 4-5.

The Sun Devils are up 2.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-5.

The Trojans are 5-4 straight up (SU), including 4-2 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Sun Devils are 5-3 SU overall and are also 2-3 SU in conference play.

The Trojans dropped one to Oregon 56-24 in a blowout where the passing game could’ve been sharper as Kedon Slovis completed just 32 passes on 57 attempts for 264 yards, three scores and three interceptions. Kenan Christon (79 yards on 15 rush attempts) mounted the ground attack in the loss. Tyler Vaughns (eight receptions, 75 yards) and Michael Pittman Jr. (eight catches, 37 yards, one TD) handled the receiving duties.

Arizona State most recently lost a 42-32 game to UCLA. The defense allowed the Bruins to run for 217 yards on 57 rush attempts, including four rush TDs. Joshua Kelley was a force to be reckoned with, recording 164 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 34 attempts for UCLA. For Arizona State, Jayden Daniels completed 20-of-29 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Eno Benjamin (46 yards on 13 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Daniels (67 yards on 13 carries, one TD) handled the ground attack in the defeat while Brandon Aiyuk (six receptions, 82 yards) and Frank Darby (six catches, 110 yards, two TDs) led the pass-catching corps.

USC has run the ball on 45.8 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 42.7 percent across possessions in conference play. Arizona State has a run percentage of 55.7 percent, and has rushed the ball 53.7 percent of the time when facing Pac-12 opponents. The Trojans have run for 140.1 yards/game (including 124 per game against Pac-12 opponents) and have 13 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Sun Devils are logging 129.1 rushing yards per game (139 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.

It seems like the Trojans could hold an edge when it comes to applying pressure, as their offensive line has yielded just 27 sacks while the D-line logged 29 sacks. The Sun Devils, on the other hand, have allowed 16 sacks and their defense has created only 29 sacks.

The Trojans offense has averaged 292.6 yards in the air overall (304.2 per game versus conference opposition) and has 21 passing TDs so far. The Sun Devils have put up 237.8 pass yards per contest (235 in the Pac-12) and have 11 total pass scores.

USC has let opponents run for an average of 184 yards and throw for 242.7 yards per game. The Arizona State defense has allowed 243 yards per game to opposing passers and 114.8 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Trojans have given up an ANY/A of 6.54 to opposing QBs, while the Sun Devils are yielding an ANY/A of 6.48.

Offensively, Slovis has put up 1,483 passing yards this season. The signal-caller has connected on 69 percent of his 197 attempts with 12 scores through the air and seven interceptions. Slovis has a 6.41 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.67 over the last two outings.

Look for Slovis to attack all areas of the Arizona State secondary. Michael Pittman Jr. (438 receiving yards and six touchdowns), Tyler Vaughns (609 yards, four TDs) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (438 yards, four TDs) have all been heavily involved recently.

For the home team, Jayden Daniels has completed 131-of-205 passes for 1,877 yards, 11 TDs and one INT. Daniels’ ANY/A sits at 8.89 for the year and 5.57 over his past two outings.

Eno Benjamin, Frank Darby and Brandon Aiyuk have combined for 380 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns as a trio over the last two outings.

These two teams met last year with the final outcome being a 38-35 victory for Arizona State.

USC Trojans vs. Arizona State Sun Devils NCAA Pick

SU Winner: USC, ATS Winner: USC, O/U: Under

Team Betting Notes

  • The USC D has sacked opposing QBs 24 times this year. Arizona State has registered just 15 sacks.
  • The Arizona State offense has lost five fumbles this season while the USC offense has let six get away.
  • The Trojans offense has produced eight pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Sun Devils have accounted for 10 such plays.
  • Both teams have allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards. The USC defense has given up 13 pass plays of 30+ yards while Arizona State has yielded seven such plays.
  • The USC offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Arizona State has created seven such runs.
  • The Trojans defense has allowed 11 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Sun Devils have given up five such runs.
  • The Over/Under for Arizona State’s previous outing going into it was 56.5. The over cashed in the 42-32 loss to UCLA.
  • In its last three matchups, Arizona State is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
  • In its last three games, USC is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
  • The O/U for USC’s last game going into it was 60. The over cashed in the team’s 56-24 defeat to Oregon.
  • USC has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.0 over its last two.
  • Arizona State has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.7 over its last two.