USC opens as slight favorite over UCLA in crosstown showdown
The seventh-ranked USC Trojans and 16th-ranked UCLA Bruins are set for a crucial showdown in Pasadena this week.
USC (9-1, 7-1 Pac-12) is looking to secure its spot in the Pac-12 title game with a win. UCLA (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) will be hoping for a bounceback performance after a stunning Week 11 upset at the hands of Arizona. Given everything on the line, Vegas is expecting a close battle — but one with a ton of points.
USC opened as a four-point favorite, according to Circa Sports. The over/under was set at 82.5!
College Football 🏈
Week 12 Opening LinesOpening App Limits: $10K Sides, $2K Totalshttps://t.co/1jLU7VXPSB pic.twitter.com/5uIFcIfOZG
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) November 13, 2022
Early betting trends at FanDuel (where the spread is USC -1.5) have the majority of money being placed on USC.
Both teams are 6-4 against the spread this season, and the over has hit seven times for each.
USC blasted Colorado 55-17 last Friday. That win featured another five-score performance from quarterback Caleb Williams, who is making a strong late-season push for Heisman Trophy consideration. But it also featured a significant blow to the offense in the form of a season-ending injury for running back Travis Dye. USC will be playing its first game without the senior runner, who exited the weekend third in the Pac-12 in rushing with 884 yards.
UCLA lost 34-28 to Arizona. Tailback Zach Charbonnet ran for 181 yards and three scores, but the Bruins allowed Wildcat quarterback Jayden de Laura to pick them apart in the pass game. Arizona’s quarterback completed 22 of his 28 passes for 315 yards and two scores.
The Bruins took last year’s meeting between the two, 62-33. The two sides have split the last 10 games in the series. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 5 p.m. PT on FOX.