#1 USC Trojans (2-0) (0-0 in PAC-10) -24at Oregon Sate Beavers (1-2) (0-1 in PAC-10) +24 Thursday September 25, Reser Stadium (45,674) 9:00 p.m. EST
by Wilson of Predictem.com
The University of Southern California Trojans will pack their bags this week for a trip up the Pacific coastline to the cozy little town of Corvallis, Oregon to take on the Oregon State Beavers in a Division 1 PAC-10 conference game.
USC will once again be the favored team as they have become use to this role, but its a role that Oregon State would like to spoil. The Beavers have handed out their fair share of upsets in recent years but Thursday night may be a monster task if they want to topple the Trojans.
USC dismantled #5 Ohio State in their last game two weeks ago as they, along with OSU had a bye this last weekend. The Buckeyes ran into a well focused machine in USCs football team with Mark Sanchez leading the way for the Trojans. Sanchez threw four touchdowns and was 17-of-28 for 172 yards. In addition, Joe McKnight rushed for 105 yards on just 12 carries as the Trojans crushed Ohio State.
USCs defense must be given credit as well, as they held Ohio State to a meager 35 second-half yards. Granted, Ohio State played without star tailback Chris Beanie Wells, but it may not have made that much of a difference as the Buckeyes created havoc for themselves by not executing and making mental errors which led to USC opportunities.
Trojans linebacker, Rey Maualuga was named the PAC-10 defensive player of the week for his outstanding play against Ohio State, which included a pick-six (interception returned for a TD). The Beavers will not only have to worry about the Trojans offense, which, by the way, QB Mark Sanchez was appropriately named the PAC-10s offensive player of the week for the Ohio Sate game as well, but they will have to figure out a way to get past the Trojan defense. The USC defense has only allowed 10 points to be scored on them in two games. (52-7 vs. Virginia & 35-3 vs. OSU).
The Trojans, 1-1 O/U, and 2-0 ATS, are looking forward to their first PAC-10 matchup. BetUs.com will have all of your updated lines and totals, simply visit their site for more details.
The Oregon State Beavers, who are 1-2 ATS, and 2-1 O/U, will do their best to cover for the gamers who have faith in them. The Beavers, already disappointed after a loss to PAC-10 foe Stanford, in a game where they were favored by 3 points, will look to pull the upset at home. The extra week of preparation hopefully helped them come up with a game plan that will derail the Trojans.
The Beavers will need to play flawless football; especially on defense or Sanchez will pick them apart just like he did with the Buckeyes secondary.
Oregon States secondary might be able to hold their own with USC receivers but it will be a tall order as the Trojans are extremely quick- like usual! Beavers CBs Brandon Hughes and Keenan Lewis look to cool off the Trojan receivers.
Offensively, the Beavers are coming off of a huge win at home against Hawaii. The Beavers passed for 268 yards and ran for another 217. The total yardage for the Hawaii game was 485 which is what they needed heading into this weeks contest- a confidence boost! Well see if it carries over against the Trojans.
Notably, the Beavers are 3-3 on fourth down conversions and in their last game they only had 4 penalties for 40 yards. If they stay disciplined and avoid costly penalties it will only help their chances against USC.
Wilsons Pick: USC is just that good! Sanchez simply has too many weapons, including himself. USC continues their winning ways by destroying the Beavers in their own house.