Arizona at USC – College Football Predictions
The Game
Here we go ! The winner of this game will almost certainly win the PAC 12 South and what a game it should be. USC looked like the team we call expected last week vs Arizona St whilst the Wildcats are on SUPAH HOT FIRE after the QB change to Khalil Tate. These two teams can score points and have a combined record of 13-4. Let’s goooooooo !
The Details
USC -7.5 Arizona (76)
MEGALOCKS LINE – USC -7
Sagarin Ratings – USC -8
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: USC 41.75 Arizona 34.25
Massey Ratings Projected Score: USC 44 Arizona 31
The Match-Up
USC offense vs Arizona defense
Now that is more like it.
The Trojans decided to get out of bed last week and live up to their potential in a 48-17 SMACK DOWN of Arizona St. The offense has been inconsistent this season with mistakes and INTs courtesy of QB Sam Darnold (20-10 TD to INT ratio). All the tools are there. A solid QB (who makes too many errors) and 1,000 yard-TO-BE running back in Ronald Jones and a talented WR group led by future NFL’r Deontay Burnett (788, 8 TDs). The Wildcats have been humming on offense but struggling on defense giving up 30,44 and 37 points in their past three games. We choose to believe that the Trojans’ offense cannot help but show up in this game and should be able to get into the high 30s to low 40s.
Arizona offense vs USC defense
WOW. QB Khalil Tate has been lighting it up at QB since taking over the starting job for good. Tate has now accumulated almost 1,000 yards rushing (!!) and an impossible 13 (!!) yards per carry whilst only starting four games. The competition has not been epic BUT he has developed into MUST SEE TV. Oh, and he has completed almost 70% of his passes. USC is getting healthier on defense but have definitely exhibited a SOFT UNDERBELLY vs the run (Exhibit A – Notre Dame) and now face the #5 rushing attack in college football (almost 340 yards per game). USC has allowed 20+ points per game in all but two games.
MEGA-MAZING MINUTIA
USC blew out Arizona last season but the previous four meetings featured winning margins of just 8,2,7 and 3 (Wildcat win).
Summary
This feels like a game in which both teams go up and down the field. The total is a bit high for our tastes AND we are a bit worried about Arizona playing the Trojans as opposed to the opposition in the past four weeks (Washington St, Cal, UCLA, Buffs). Then again, that running game is ridiculous.
Conclusion
The winner of this game can make plans for the PAC 12 Championship. USC can still meet a key season goal. Arizona is the upstart JUGGERNAUT. Hard to pass up those tasty points given how explosive the Wildcats have been on offense AND how flaky USC has been all season. Lean to Wildcats +7.5 for small potatoes.