Rose Bowl Betting: USC vs. Penn State Odds, Analysis and Pick

The USC Trojans finished their regular season with seven covers over their last eight games. The Penn State Nittany Lions finished with eight covers and a push over their last nine contests. Two of the hottest teams in the country should make for a great 103rd edition of the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl point spread: The Trojans opened as 6.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via OddsShark computer: 37.6-34.0 Trojans (college football picks on every game)

Why the USC Trojans can cover the spread

Southern Cal owns an eight-game winning streak after ending its regular season with a 45-27 victory over Notre Dame. The Trojans trailed the Irish 7-3 early and then scored the game's next 21 points, 14 on a punt return and an interception return for scores late in the first half. USC later added another touchdown on a kickoff return, but a failed conversion attempt cost the team the cover as an 18-point favorite.

The Trojans outrushed Notre Dame 207-154, as running back Ronald Jones came up with his fourth 100-yard effort in the last five games.

USC has now outgained and outrushed each of its last nine opponents, including the Pac-12 champion Washington Huskies, who have qualified for the College Football Playoff.

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions can cover the spread

The Lions ride a nine-game winning streak into the Rose Bowl after coming from behind to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game 38-31. Penn State fell down to the Badgers 14-0 out of the gate and trailed 28-14 at the half. But the Lions roared back to outscore Wisconsin 24-3 in the second half to win the Big Ten title game for the first time.

Penn State outgained the Badgers 435-415, as quarterback Trace McSorley ripped the Wisconsin secondary for 384 yards through the air and four touchdowns, three long ones and a beautiful wheel-route connection with running back Saquon Barkley. The Lions defense then made the play of the game, stopping Badgers RB Corey Clement on a 4th-and-1 from just outside their own red zone with a minute to go.

Penn State is now averaging 45 points per game over its last six times out.

Smart pick

They say nobody wants to play USC right now, but that sentiment might play into the spread here. The Lions will take them on, and if they play with the energy they did in the second half against Wisconsin, they'll be right in this one. The smart money here plays Penn State plus the points.

Betting trends

The total has gone under in seven of Southern Cal's last eight games.

Southern Cal is 7-1 straight up and against the spread in its last eight games in January.

Penn State is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games.

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