Minnesota vs USC | Prediction & Pick

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Minnesota at #25 USC – 3:30 PM ET on ABC

The Minnesota Golden Gophers and the USC Trojans will both be looking to go 1-0 on the season when they meet at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Saturday.

The Trojans are just itching to start hitting on somebody else and are primed for a rebound season. They are vastly more talented than the visiting Gophers and I think that will be evident from the get go. It is common knowledge that USC, while still possessing star power, doesn’t have the same kind of depth it has had in the past. As a result I expect the Gophers to chip away at the lead in the second half of a game that will not be nearly as close as the final number might suggest.

The Trojans defensive improvements and emphasis on speed will be tested by a Golden Gophers offense that will be better than the one that struggled in last year’s loss to USC. However, a first-time starting QB will be no match on the road against a superior opponent. Minnesota’s defense should be decent, but they don’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the Trojans.

Prediction: USC by 13 – Bet Now

Odds: USC: -23 – Minnesota: +23 – Over/Under: 51.5

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Team records:

• Minnesota: 3-9 SU, 7-4 ATS
• Southern Cal: 7-5 SU, 4-8 ATS

Minnesota Golden Gophers most recently:

• When playing in September are 5-5
• When playing on grass are 2-8
• After outgaining opponent are 1-9
• When playing outside the conference are 4-6

USC Trojans most recently:

• When playing in September are 8-2
• When playing on grass are 6-4
• After outgaining opponent are 7-3
• When playing outside the conference are 9-1

Minnesota Golden Gophers betting trends:

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 9 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games on the road
• Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
• Minnesota is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games

USC Trojans betting trends:

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Southern Cal’s last 5 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Southern Cal’s last 5 games at home
• Southern Cal is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
• Southern Cal is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games

Next up:

• Minnesota home to New Mexico State, Saturday, September 10
• Southern Cal home to Utah, Saturday, September 10