The 14th-ranked Stanford Cardinal will look to pull off the big upset in the NCAAF lines over the fourth-ranked USC Trojans when the two longtime Pac-12 rivals square off in one of the most anticipated games on the Week 2 docket. Both teams got off to winning starts in their respective openers and have plenty of incentive to get the win in this early-season meeting as both teams look to keep their four-team playoff and national championship hopes alive.
The Trojans will host the Cardinal on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 8:30 PM ET, live from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California with this contest airing on FOX. The Trojans are slight betting favorites over Stanford, but things might turn around for this game.
Heisman trophy-favorite, quarterback Sam Darnold and the team’s passing attack struggled until the fourth quarter. Darnold completed 23 of 33 passes for 289 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time during USC’s current 10-game winning streak.
“It’s just stuff that we have to go through,” said Darnold, who “You’re going to have little mistakes. You’re going to have setbacks, but we have to learn from them and get better.”
Marvell Tell returned an interception 37 yards for a TD with 3:13 remaining in regulation to seal the deal.
“I am happy to have that type of experience,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “I’m happy it wasn’t easy, and was a hard-fought game. We know that there’s a lot of progress that needs to be made, and very quickly.”
Stanford at USC Week 2 NCAAF Lines & Game Preview
When: Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 8:30 PM ET Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California TV: FOX NCAAF Lines: USC -6.5 / Total: OffWhy Bet the Stanford Cardinal Odds at +6.5?
Stanford steamrolled overmatched Rice on Sunday as running back Bryce Love lived up to his head coach’s claims of stardom in the near future. Despite replacing a now, school icon in Christian McCaffrey, Love showed that’s he’s got plenty of gifts of his own by rushing for 180 yards and one touchdown on just 13 carries to lead No. 14 Stanford to an emphatic 62-7 victory over Rice on Sunday to help them cover the spread as whopping 31-point favorites in the Sydney College Football Cup. Love riped off a fantastic a 62-yard run on Stanford’s opening play and the cardinal never looked back from that point. Love sat out for the most part after the middle of the third quarter. “Bryce is going to be our lead dog,” Stanford coach David Shaw said. “But it’s nice to know we’ve got some guys who can back him up. I’m excited about where Bryce is heading into this season. We don’t want to wear Bryce out in any one game, so those guys have got to come out and make plays like they did today.” Shaw also got a revelation in the form of redshirt freshman running back Cameron Scarlett who rushed for 68 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries while adding a thrilling 56-yard reception as well.Team Statistics
- Offensive total yards 656.006
- Current Offensive rush yards 287.0020
- Offensive passing yards 369.0016
- Average Score For 62.007
- Defensive total yards 241.0028
- Current Defensive rush yards 146.0075
- Defensive passing yards 95.0018
- Average Score Against 7.0022
Why Bet the USC Trojans Odds at -6.5?
The Trojans escaped the dangerous Western Michigan Broncos to win 49-31 in the regular season opener for both schools. Running back Ronald Jones II carried a Trojans offense that was lacking its passing attack early on by rushing for a stellar 159 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter. USC also got an excellent contribution from freshman running back Stephen Carr, who rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. “Down the stretch they really won us the football game,” Trojans head coach Clay Helton said.
Heisman trophy-favorite, quarterback Sam Darnold and the team’s passing attack struggled until the fourth quarter. Darnold completed 23 of 33 passes for 289 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time during USC’s current 10-game winning streak.
“It’s just stuff that we have to go through,” said Darnold, who “You’re going to have little mistakes. You’re going to have setbacks, but we have to learn from them and get better.”
Marvell Tell returned an interception 37 yards for a TD with 3:13 remaining in regulation to seal the deal.
“I am happy to have that type of experience,” USC coach Clay Helton said. “I’m happy it wasn’t easy, and was a hard-fought game. We know that there’s a lot of progress that needs to be made, and very quickly.”
Team Statistics
- Offensive total yards 521.0032
- Current Offensive rush yards 232.0042
- Offensive passing yards 289.0037
- Average Score For 49.0028
- Defensive total yards 357.0061
- Current Defensive rush yards 263.00114
- Defensive passing yards 94.0016
- Average Score Against 31.0088
