USC looks to cover 7 point spread at Ohio State

College Football Week 2 Must Bet Game: USC vs. Ohio State

Betting Line: USC -7

Over/Under: 44.5

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The biggest game of the week if not the biggest game of the year will take place in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Trojans of USC. The big storyline here is whether or not Ohio State can avenge last year’s 35-3 massacre that the Trojans put on them in the Coliseum. The key to this game will be whether or not true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley can play well under pressure in what will be a very hostile environment. It’s a tough spot for a 19 year old kid, yet there is a reason why he is the starter at a program like USC. To me it shows that the coaches have a lot of confidence in this kid.

Ohio State’s run defense was exploited by Navy last week giving up 186 yards on the ground and that spells trouble for the Buckeyes. USC is absolutely loaded at running back with Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight, and Allen Bradford. This team rushed for 343 yards albeit against a poor San Jose State team but make no mistake about it, they have the most talented backfield in the country. If the run game gets going, it will take a lot of heat off Barkley and allow him to manage the game and not make mistakes. Ohio State has to be worried about their run defense as they were exploited by Navy and now have to face much better athletes on this USC squad.

The other key to this game will be the young offense of Ohio State against the young defense of USC. Tyrelle Pryor is back but the Buckeyes lost their leading rusher in Chris Wells and their two top receivers in Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. Boom Herron is a quality back and will have to have to run the ball well in order for Ohio State to have a chance to win this game because the USC secondary is extremely athletic and can cover with the best of them. If Ohio State can stay out of third and long, they have a chance to pull the upset but believe me just because the USC defense is inexperienced doesn’t mean they are not talented.

In evaluating this game, I think USC simply has too much speed for Ohio State on both sides of the ball. Ohio State seems to be sorely missing James Laurinaits and Marcus Freeman at linebacker and USC was able to pound the rock last year even when those guys were in the game. I think Ohio State is overrated and Barkley will do enough for his team to get the win and the cover.

USC vs. Ohio State Betting Trends:
Southern Cal is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Southern Cal is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Ohio State is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

BetVega.com leans toward USC -7

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