[4:00 PM] #21 Colorado @ USC

Who will WIN this matchup?

#21 Colorado Buffaloes (4-1)

@ USC Trojans (2-3)

 

Current odds:

Colorado Buffaloes: (+201)

USC Trojans: (-230)

 

• ESPN simulations have USC as 58% favorites to win the game.

• 50% of sports bets are currently on Colorado to win as (+201) underdogs.

• The Buffaloes enter Saturday’s contest fresh off a sweep of the Oregon schools, and find themselves in uncharted territory: Alone atop the Pac-12 South standings.

• USC, meanwhile, opened the season 1-3 – its worst start in 15 years – but bounced back last Saturday with a 41-20 rout of visiting Arizona State.

• Despite their newfound success, the Buffaloes are dealing with a quarterback dilemma as redshirt freshman backup Steven Montez has rolled up 789 yards of total offense and accounted for seven touchdowns the last two weeks in place of Sefo Liufau, the senior who’s been sidelined with an ankle sprain suffered Sept. 17 against Michigan.

• The Trojans have had their own freshman step up at quarterback the last two weeks in Sam Darnold, who’s 41-of-59 passing for 605 yards and three TDs while adding a pair of rushing scores. Darnold, who replaced junior Max Browne after three games, has gotten wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster back involved after a sluggish start, and the two connected seven times for 123 yards and three TDs against Arizona State.

• USC has won all 10 meetings with Colorado after rallying from a 14-point deficit last season in Boulder to pull out a 27-24 victory.

 
StreakSmarts Pick: USC Trojans

Confidence: 5/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Previous Pick
Next Pick