Texas at USC – College Football Predictions
The Game
It’s a rematch of the amazing 2006 Rose Bowl as the Texas Longhorns visit the USC Trojans on Saturday night. USC is coming off a BIG TIME SPANKING of Stanford in week 2 and are moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE. The Longhorns were beat at home by Maryland in week 1 (wut ?) but rebounded last week in a scrimmage vs San Jose St (56-0). Which Texas team will show up ? Time to put on the handicapping hats, yo.
The Details
USC -15 TEXAS (67)
MEGALOCKS LINE – USC -13
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: USC 41 Texas 26
Massey Ratings Projected Score: USC 42 Texas 23
The Match-Up
USC offense vs Texas defense
The Trojans were simply amazing last week. They managed to rush for 307 (!!) yards and pass for 316 vs the Cardinal in a 42-24 win. That was an excellent game plan in our opinion because now USC has the confidence to know they can kill you with the run or the pass. QB Sam Darnold has not even really heated up yet as he has thrown 2 INT in each of the first two contests. When he has connected in the passing game he has done so at an amazing 10.3 yards per attempt. The Texas defense was ripped apart by a really good Maryland rushing attack for over 260 yards and now they face a Trojan run game averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Uh oh. The Longhorns looked pretty good vs San Jose St but this is a gigantic rise in class. We find it hard to believe that Texas can hold USC to less than 35 points.
Texas offense vs USC defense
Texas QB Shane Buechele is listed as questionable this week and the Longhorns would love to see him ready to go. True freshman Sam Ehlinger looked fine last week but it would probably be better to have the more experienced guy in there even though the talent gap between the two guys appears to be narrowing. At least according to our BIG 12 DEEP INSIDERS. Texas should be able to move the ball as long as the offensive line holds up. RB Chris Warren has 197 yards rushing already at 9 (!) yards per carry and three players have over 100 yards receiving. Don’t forget that USC was abused on the ground by Western Michigan.
MEGA-MAZING MORSELS
The Trojans are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games while the Longhorns are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 contests on the road…..Not saying….just saying….USC starts PAC 12 play next week (Cal) but we are fairly certain this game has their full attention…..Texas has a bye week coming up.
Summary
This promises to be an entertaining game. It is pretty tough to fade the Trojans in this spot after seeing what they did to a really good Stanford team. We just wish we had a better handle on what this Texas team is all about. We do know they have talent on both sides of the ball and just might be able to hang within the number if they can force a couple of mistakes.
Conclusion
No official play. Lean to Texas at 14.5 or better for small potatoes. Or the team total over 26. Pick your poison.