USC +7 -120 2.5% PLAY
Two offensive minded coaches going head to head with key opt outs. Louisville will be without their two best offensive players in Thrash & Jordan, which are two huge losses. I don’t see Jack Plummer as the type of guy that can take advantage, and USC did face Plummer a season ago so there is some familiarity.
USC obviously not the season they wanted, but I think they are a bit desperate for a win, and when I say “they” I mean the coaching staff and Lincoln Riley. They really don’t have the luxury of cruising and looking to next year. They need to win and with 20 opt outs it’s prove it time. I think the offense will be just fine, and that means this spread is too much in my opinion when you factor in the ACC has long had problems against the PAC 12. The PAC 12 since 2010 is actually 22-4 vs. the ACC, and USC FACED 4 TOP 15 teams while Louisville only faced 2. Their common opponent was Notre Dame, but USC -5 TO margin while Louisville +4.
Lincoln Riley has got to put a good showing here. This game is on the west coast, and I don’t care who the QB is he typically will have his offense ready. Louisville’s defense has been good, but when facing a top offense they have gone 3-2 with only 1 game covering this spread which was the game against Notre Dame where they were +4 TO margin.
