USC
vs.
UCLA
College Football
Pick
11/22/14
The Pac-12 South still isn’t decided yet, but the loser of this Game will definitely be out of the race. Both teams close the season with difficult Games next week, so a win here would be nice. But with Arizona State losing last weekend, the winner will be in a great spot. The Bruins are -3 point favorites at the Rose Bowl as seen at 5 Dimes and sportsbook.ag.
Despite being 7-3 on the year, USC has not won three straight Games all season. Heading into this Game, they have won two straight so this is their last chance. Their three losses have been mostly unlucky and by a combined 13 points. Although, the Trojans haven’t looked overly great in their wins, coming off a recent 38-30 home win against California. They welcome Notre Dame next weekend.
UCLA has picked up steam and already have their second Four-Game winning streak of the season. After a couple home losses to Utah and Oregon, the Bruins have turned things around with three Conference road wins and a home win over Arizona. If they can win these final two Games (next week vs. Stanford), the Bruins could find themselves in a nice bowl Game.
In the regular season finale last year, UCLA dominated this matchup, winning 35-14 at the Memorial Coliseum. Two turnovers cost the Trojans, as they were only outgained by 80 yards. Brett Hundley dominated for UCLA, throwing for 208 yards and rushing for 80 more to go with two touchdowns. Still, USC had success running in that Game as well (Javorius Allen, 123 yards, one TD). This Game should look similar with more points, and the winner leading the turnover battle.
Cody Kessler has been on fire for the Trojans this year. While a lot of his numbers are against weaker competition, they are still impressive. Kessler is completing 70.2% of his passes to go with 29 TDs and only three interceptions. With a better record from USC, those could be Heisman nomination worthy. He gets plenty of help from the players around him like receiver Nelson Agholor (1,079 yards, 10 TDs) and running back Javorius Allen can do whatever he wants (1,184 yards, 8 TDs).
UCLA’s defense has not been great this year, but in their last home Game, they did shut down Arizona for only seven points. Still, this is a team that allows close to 30 points per Game. The same can be said about USC, even they though they allow 23 points per Game. In the three losses, the defense is what failed the Trojans.
And stopping Brett Hundley is not an easy task. Hundley started the season kind of slow and picked up an injury, but has been the driving force in their last Four Games. Hundley’s completing 72.1% of his passes to go with 564 rushing yards, 24 TDs and Four INTs. His mobility makes him a pain for defenses because he looks to run if nothing is available to him and his size doesn’t help. Paul Perkins has been great out of the backfield for this team with 1,169 yards and six TDs.
Both teams should be able to Scorein this Game, but the edge goes to the home team and the more mobile quarterback. USC will have its hands full trying to stop Hundley, much like a season ago.
The Trojans are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 road Games vs. a team with a winning home record and only 5-13 ATS in their last 18 road Games. The Bruins are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Games overall, but they are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home Games vs. a team with a winning road record. The under has hit in seven of the last eight meetings between these schools, with the home team going 8-3 ATS in the last 11 matchups.
Check back on Friday afternoon for a pick on this Game!