USC at California College Football Picks & Predictions 9/23/2017

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The USC Trojans head to Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium to play the California Golden Bears on Saturday, September 23, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has USC as 16 point favorites. The total has been set at 64.5. The Trojans are 1-2-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 2-1-0. The Golden Bears are 2-1-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 1-2-0.

Valuable USC Trojans Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 2-1-0 against the over/under

The USC Trojans are 1-2-0 against the spread

Important California Golden Bears Betting Trends

The California Golden Bears are 1-2-0 against the over/under

The California Golden Bears are 2-1-0 against the spread

Key USC Trojans Injuries

09/18/17 DB Ajene Harris Knee "?" Saturday vs. California
09/18/17 DE Porter Gustin Bicep is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. California
09/18/17 LB Uchenna Nwosu Elbow "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 T Chuma Edoga Wrist injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 LB Hunter Echols Hip "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 DL Jacob Lichtenstein Back "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 DL Jay Tufele Back "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 WR Michael Pittman Jr. Ankle "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 T Nathan Smith Knee "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 DT Rasheem Green Ankle injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 LB John Houston Jr. Stinger "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 CB Keyshawn Young Hamstring "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 DT Liam Jimmons Ankle "?" Saturday vs. California
09/17/17 DT Marlon Tuipulotu Knee "?" Saturday vs. California
09/16/17 LB Tayler Katoa Knee out for season
09/12/17 TE Daniel Imatorbhebhe Hip out indefinitely
09/12/17 PK Michael Brown Knee out for season
08/19/17 CB Johathan Lockett Hip out for season

Key California Golden Bears Injuries

09/17/17 WR Demetris Robertson Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. USC
09/12/17 RB Tre Watson Knee out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The USC Trojans are 25th in the country in points scored with 118. They have run 229 plays this year for 1,612 yards, which ranks them 14th in Division 1 in total offense. The Trojans average 7 yards per play, which is 24th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 78 1st downs this season, ranking them 16th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground USC has run for 610 yards as a unit, which ranks 37th in college football. They've run 119 times, averaging 5.1 yards per rush as a unit. The Trojans have been penalized on offense 25 times for 234 yards so far this year, which has them 25th in the country in penalties. Sam Darnold has passed for 1,002 yards this year. He's completed 72 throws while attempting 108 passes for a completion percentage of 66.7%. His quarterback rating this season is 154.9. He averages 8.1 adjusted yards per throw and 9.3 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

USC is 86th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 79. They have given up a total of 1,065 yards on D, which is 68th in D-1. The Trojans are 64th in yards per play allowed with 5.3. Opponent offenses have completed 48 throws on 91 attempts against the USC Trojans defense this season, ranking them 49th and 63rd in the nation. The USC pass defense has also surrendered a total of 564 yards in the air, which is 51st overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 109 attempts for 501 yards this season, putting them in 94th place in the country against the run. The Trojans have had 23 penalties for 141 yards on defense this year. That places them 57th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

USC is 107th in the country in punt returns with 3. They've totaled 15 punt return yards and average 5 yards per return, which is 76th in D-1. They have returned 7 kicks for 163 yards on special teams, which puts them 64th in kick return yardage. The Trojans average 23 yards per kick return and they are 15th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,790. The USC Trojans have tried 3 field goals this year and made 2, which is 88th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 67%. USC Trojans kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 16 for 16 this season. Their punters have accumulated 526 yards on 11 punts, averaging 48 yards per punt. That ranks them 8th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Golden Bears have run for 501 yards as a team, which ranks 63rd in college football. They've run 108 times, averaging 4.6 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The California Golden Bears have been penalized on offense 22 times for 181 yards so far this season, which has them 30th in the country in penalties. They are 55th in the nation in points scored with 95. They have run 222 plays this season for 1,300 yards, which ranks them 42nd in Division 1 in total offense. California averages 5.9 yards per play, which is 61st in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 64 1st downs this year, placing them 54th overall as an offensive unit. Ross Bowers averages 7.1 yards per pass attempt and 6.4 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 68 passes on 113 attempts for a completion percentage of 60.2%. His quarterback rating this year is 127.1. He has thrown for 799 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The California Golden Bears rush defense has allowed 112 attempts for 412 yards this year, putting them in 68th place in D-1 against the run. California has committed 29 penalties for 213 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 106th in college football. They are 62nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 66. They have surrendered a total of 1,427 yards on D, which is 111th in the country. The Golden Bears are ranked 88th in yards per play allowed with 5.8. Opposing offenses have completed 76 passes on 133 attempts against the California defense this season, placing them 118th and 126th in Division 1. The California Golden Bears pass defense has also given up a total of 1,015 yards through the air, which is 125th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The California Golden Bears have attempted 7 field goals this season and made 4, which is 36th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 57%. California kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 11 for 12 this year. Their punters have totaled 609 yards on 14 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That places them 43rd in Division 1 in punting average. California has returned 10 kicks for 180 yards on special teams, ranking 49th in kick return yardage. The California Golden Bears average 18 yards per kick return and they are 56th in the country in all-purpose yards with 1,480.

Who will win tonight's Trojans/Golden Bears college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Trojans -16

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