UCLA Bruins vs. Southern Cal Trojans Betting Odds, College Football Pick

Southern Cal beat UCLA 12 out of 13 times earlier this century, but the Bruins are 3-0 both straight up and against the spread in this rivalry since coach Jim Mora took over three seasons ago. In the game that will decide the Pac-12 South title, the Trojans host UCLA for the 85th Battle for Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon at the Coliseum.

Point spread: Trojans opened as 3.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 37.5-33.6 Bruins

Why the UCLA Bruins can cover the spread

The Bruins bounced back from that home defeat to Washington State two weeks ago with a 17-9 victory at Utah last week, keeping their division title hopes alive. UCLA scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, led 10-0 after one quarter and allowed the Utes to pull within one point midway through the third quarter, but pushed the lead to eight on a Paul Perkins touchdown run a few minutes later.

They stymied Utah from there, winning a tough game that went off as a pick 'em on the betting line. The Bruins only managed 325 yards of offense, but held the Utes to 307—and won the turnover battle 2-0. UCLA is now 9-1 straight up and 7-3 against the spread over its last 10 Pac-12 road games.

Why the Southern Cal Trojans can cover the spread

Southern Cal had won four games in a row to take control of the Pac-12 South, but ran into a buzz saw last week and lost at Oregon 48-28. That game was tied at 14-14 well into the second quarter before the Trojans gave up a 24-0 Ducks run. USC pulled to within 38-28 with the whole fourth quarter to go, but could get no closer.

On the day the Trojans produced 424 yards of offense, 186 on the ground, and won time of possession by almost 10 minutes, but had no answer for Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams, who threw six touchdown passes.

USC got outgained last week for the first time since the loss to Stanford eight weeks prior.

Smart pick

UCLA just pulled off a nice road upset, but truth be told the Bruins got some help, as Utah fumbled the ball away twice in UCLA territory. Meanwhile, USC had its lunch handed to it last week at Oregon. But college football is a funny game, and those who are up one week often fall down the very next, and vice versa. Take the Trojans.

Betting trends

UCLA is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games on the road against Southern Cal.

UCLA is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games against Southern Cal.

Southern Cal is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games after a loss.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.