USC Trojans vs. Stanford Cardinal Betting Odds, Analysis, College Football Pick

The Stanford Cardinal own the upper hand in the recent rivalry with USC, winning six of the last eight meetings straight up, going 5-3 against the spread, including a victory/cover in last year's Pac-12 Championship Game. In a meeting with big implications for the Pac-12 races, the Trojans pay a visit to the Cardinal on Saturday.

Point spread: The Cardinal opened as 6.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 35.2-23.6 Cardinal (College football picks on every game)

Why the USC Trojans can cover the spread

Southern Cal rebounded from that season-opening blowout at the hands of Alabama to beat Utah State last week 45-7, covering as a 16-point favorite. The Trojans used a blocked punt to set up their first score three minutes into the game, led 21-0 at the half and 31-0 before allowing the Aggies to hit the board.

On the day, USC outgained USU 422-253 while winning the ground battle 178-49.

Junior quarterback Max Browne had a better day than he did against the Crimson Tide, hitting on 23 of 30 throws for 182 yards and two scores with one interception.

The Trojans lost to Stanford in the Pac-12 title game last year 41-22, but that game was closer than the final score might indicate.

Why the Stanford Cardinal can cover the spread

Stanford is 1-0 both SU and ATS this season, with its 26-13 victory over Kansas State two weeks ago, covering 12 points. The Cardinal then had last week off to prepare for this contest.

Stanford scored on its first three possessions against Kansas State to take an early 17-0 lead. The Cardinal then seemed to relax, though, and they let the Wildcats back in the game. But protecting a 19-13 lead late in the game, Stanford's Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey ran one in from 41 yards out to secure the win and the cash.

McCaffrey also had a 97-yard punt return for a score negated by penalty.

On the night, the Cardinal actually got outgained by Kansas State 335-272, but some of that was situational, considering the Cardinal played with a lead the whole game.

New starting quarterback Ryan Burns, making his first collegiate start replacing stalwart Kevin Hogan, completed his first 10 passes against the Wildcats and finished with 14 completions in 18 attempts for 156 yards and a touchdown.

Smart pick

Stanford beat USC by 19 points in the Pac-12 Championship Game last year, but that was actually a five-point game with 10 minutes to go before McCaffrey tacked on two late scores. And before that, the previous five meetings in this series were decided by an average of just six points. Also, Alabama can make anybody look bad. Take the Trojans here, plus the points.

Betting trends

Southern Cal is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games against Stanford.

Stanford is 11-1 SU and 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games against its conference.

The total has gone under in six of Stanford's last eight games in September.

All college football betting lines and point-spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds-tracker app.