Week 5: Beavers vs #17 Trojans
College football Week 5 betting action sees the Oregon State Beavers taking on the #17 USC Trojans on Saturday September 27th at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA football handicapping tips all season long.
While Oregon State may be an underdog heading to Los Angeles to take on the Trojans, there is one thing you must consider about the Pac-12: the teams almost always play each other well, no matter how they stack up on paper.
College Football Lines
Oregon State (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12) @ #17 USC (2-1, 1-0 Pac-12)
Saturday, September 27th 7:30 PM ET @ Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles
NCAA Football Spread: USC -9
NCAA Football O/U: 56
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With gunslingers leading these two balanced and potent offenses, anything can happen in this one. The last 6 meetings have literally gone back and forth between these two teams, with USC taking last year’s tilt by a score of 31-14.
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USC’s run game was non-existent against Boston College while their run defense was the worst it has been in 10 years. With QB Cody Kessler finally gaining his traction in the starting role, it could open their run game up to do a lot more.
Oregon State
With Brandin Cooks now part of Drew Brees’ receiving corp in the NFL, most thought QB Sean Mannion would have difficulties this season. While his numbers this season haven’t kept pace with his past production, Mannion has still shown why he is #3 All-Time in passing in the Pac-12.
On the season, Mannion has completed 76 of 113 passes for 903 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He is 989 yards short of becoming the conference’s All-Time passer.
The run game has been shaky in the recent past for Oregon State. This season, though, that has turned around as the team has two backs with 212 yards rushing on the season. Terron Ward has 212 yards and 4 touchdowns on 40 carries while Storm Woods has 212 yards and 2 touchdowns on 37 carries.
Mannion has three receivers over the century mark this season. Victor Bolden is leading the way with 18 grabs for 192 yards and a touchdown. Next is Connor Hamlett who has 11 carries for 165 yards and a touchdown, followed by Richard Mullaney, who has 11 receptions for 119 yards and a score.
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The defense thrived against the non-conference schedule. As a team, they have racked up 16 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 5 interceptions (2 by two different players), 17 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries.
#17 USC
Cody Kessler has had quite a season already. After beating out Max Browne for the starting job in the pre-season, Kessler has shown he has the ability to lead a star-studded Trojan squad and win big games like their 13-10 win over Stanford.
What happens next is most important, though, as now Steve Sarkisian awaits to see how Kessler bounces back from a tough loss two weeks ago against Boston College.
On the year, Kessler has completed 71 of 100 passes for 846 yards and 8 touchdowns. His biggest target this season has been Nelson Agholor, who has 23 receptions for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns. JuJu Smith has 11 grabs for 170 yards.
On the ground, USC has stuck with Javorius Allen. Going away from the “by committee” approach that has become the rage on football, Allen has thrived seeing the bulk of the team’s carries. On the year, he has 318 yards and a touchdown on 60 attempts. He also has 10 receptions for 141 yards and a score.
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In their loss against Boston College, the run defense was non-existent. They allowed 452 yards on the ground in that game. As a unit with 13 tackles for loss and 4 sacks, the run defense and pass rush need to improve. The defense also has 5 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and a blocked kick.
NCAA football handicapping trends
- Home team is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings
- Beavers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS win
- Trojans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss
- Trojans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games
- Trojans are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record
Week 5 NCAA Football Prediction
USC went into Corvallis last year and dominated the Beavers. This year, the game is in the comfy confines of the Coliseum with pretty similar rosters.
With an offense that is finding its rhythm under a new signal caller, USC is going to need to keep it going in order to counterbalance Oregon State’s potent offense. While Sean Mannion and his running backs will probably have themselves a good day, it won’t be enough.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: USC -9
Final Week 5 Score: Oregon State 17 – #17 USC 31
Check out our Updated College Football Week 5 Odds.
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