Saturday, September 27, 2014

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Oregon State (3-0) has stormed off to a perfect start in 2014, riding a strong passing attack and a stingy defense. They'll almost definitely find themselves ranked next week if they can earn a road upset over #18 USC (2-1). The Trojans suffered a huge letdown their last game, losing 37-31 at Boston College after beating Stanford 13-10 a week prior. USC has had an extra week to stew over that loss and won't take the Beavers lightly.

Beavers QB Sean Mannion hasn't gotten off to the same torrid start as he did last September throwing 18 TD against 2 INT but the Senior has completed almost 70% of his passes and is poised for a breakout performance. Mannion threw 3 INT last year in a 31-14 loss to USC and looks for a big rebound in his final regular season game against the Trojans. The Oregon State offense thrives on the pass like they always do, ranking just outside the Top 25 with 301 YPG while ranking 91st in rushing. The Beavers attack could struggle though against a USC team giving up just 166.3 YPG, 19th in the country.

USC is coming off a bye week but with a bad taste in her mouth after a 37-31 loss to the Golden Eagles. Trojan QB Cody Kessler was great against BC, throwing for 317 yards and 4 TD but had no help from the USC running game, which was limited to only 20 yards rushing. Plus, Golden Eagles QB Tyler Murphy was even better, exploiting the Trojan defense for 191 yards on only 13 carries. For as good as the Trojan pass defense has been, it's likely only because their run defense has been historically bad, giving up 245.7 YPG on the ground which is 10th worst in the country.

Oregon State does have a competent ground attack that could be potent against USC. Storm Woods and Terron Ward are both averaging over 5 YPC and their effectiveness could allow Mannion to get going. The Trojans are expected to win by over a TD, but these teams have flip-flopped wins the last 6 years and it's Oregon State's turn.

Oregon State Beavers Betting Trends

Oregon State Beavers are 1-2-0 Against the Spread

Oregon State Beavers are 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

USC Trojans Betting Trends

USC Trojans are 2-1-0 Against the Spread

USC Trojans are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Oregon State Beavers

09/21/14 OG Garrett Weinreich Knee "?" Saturday vs. USC
09/21/14 FB Tyler Anderson Hamstring "?" Saturday vs. USC
08/23/14 OL Will Hopkins Hand out indefinitely
08/21/14 OL Isaac Seumalo Foot out indefinitely
08/07/14 LB Darrell Songy Suspension out for season

USC Trojans

09/21/14 DE Greg Townsend Jr. Illness probable Saturday vs. Oregon State
09/19/14 RB Tre Madden Toe doubtful
08/29/14 DB Anthony Brown Personal quit the team
08/26/14 CB Joshua Shaw Ankle out indefinitely
08/26/14 DT Kenny Bigelow Knee out indefinitely
08/26/14 LB Lamar Dawson Knee out indefinitely
08/14/14 LB Jabari Ruffin Knee out for season
08/07/14 TE Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick Academics out for season

Josh's Pick: Take USC

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