USC vs. Colorado: College football betting picks, odds and analysis
Adam Burke (LA Times) — Maybe it was the firing of Clay Helton. Maybe it was the eye-opening performance from Jaxson Dart. Whatever it was that interrupted the status quo enough for USC to dominate Washington State on the road was simply not there against Oregon State. The Beavers won in the Coliseum for the first time since 1960 and put the Trojans’ bowl hopes in serious jeopardy.
USC is more than a touchdown favorite this week in Boulder for a bright and early 11 a.m. PT kickoff. This is basically a must-win game if the Trojans want to get to six wins, as there are three ranked teams left on the schedule, plus road games in Tempe and Berkeley. The only other obvious favorite role for the Trojans will be against Arizona on Oct. 30.
Does anybody trust USC to take care of business here?
USC Trojans (-7.5, 51) at Colorado Buffaloes
After scoring 35 points in the season opener against Northern Colorado, the Buffaloes have scored only 20 points in three games against FBS competition. That includes a shutout at the hands of a Minnesota team that just lost to Bowling Green as a 30-plus-point favorite.
By comparison, USC scored 27 points in last week’s losing effort against Oregon State. Kedon Slovis threw for 355 yards but also threw three interceptions, though two of them came in garbage time late in the fourth quarter. Even with the potency of the passing game, the inability to run the ball has USC 60th in the country at 5.89 yards per play.
USC’s defense remains the bigger issue. Oregon State rushed for 6.3 ypc and Chance Nolan completed 15 of 19 passes with four TD throws and two interceptions. The Trojans rank 107th nationally with 6.21 yards per play allowed.
If the defense can’t stop Colorado, raise every red flag you have, and not the ones in a hue of cardinal red. The bright red ones that are a cry for help. Colorado has managed just 4.1 yards per play this season. This is an extremely limited offense with one passing touchdown from Brendon Lewis and a lackluster running game. The total of 51 when USC’s last three games have seen 70, 59, and 72 points is a good indicator of where the Buffaloes are offensively.
Of course, we also thought Stanford and Oregon State would be limited offensively and the Cardinal had over seven yards per play and the Beavers had 7.6 YPP against USC.
With the early start in elevation and a USC program teetering on the precipice of a rebuild, being ready for this game seems like a long shot.
The Trojans might ultimately win and cover the spread, but Colorado +4 in the first half is the bet.
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Wow, I just read all the comments on the eve of an SC game, and I am glad none of you is coaching this team. Where have all the pre-season optimists gone, “gone to graveyards everyone.” …
The worst SC team in history?– Please, spare me, let’s see if our boys can get the Buffalos’ goat, and then we’ll talk.
John, This is the worst SC team I can recall seeing. The home games against both Stanford and OSU were over at the end of the 3rd Q. I cannot ever recall seeing that home. Ever. Not even Paul Hackett managed that feat. I can recall the ND game Sam’s senior year being over at ND at the end of the 3rd Q. I was also at the 52-0 clobbering by ND at home. That SC team went to the Rose Bowl. Can you recall any two home games in one season where SC was routed so badly that the… Read more »
This really is a dilemma for me. I have only intentionally skipped a football game once and then only because my fiancé insisted on getting married on a Saturday. Honestly I don’t remember if we won or lost that weekend, but I scored. Anyway the PAC 12 is hosting the High School Game of the week and there’s a rerun of Harry Potter and the I don’t give a hoot on TV. It really will be the undercard around the nation, it’s not even a good train wreck. It’s a wonder they don’t stage a race between Ralphie and Traveler… Read more »
I can’t wait to see USC try to beat the Buffs. Two bad teams and only one can lose. One of these teams will drop down to around #60 – #70 in the country. It should be one heckuva battle.
Karl Dorrell, already a sinking ship, HAS to win this one in Boulder. He always looks so sad on the sidelines, I’m not sure he can do it. But Dorrell actually beat Pete Carroll 13-9 one day in 2006, showing that anything is possible.
Are there any two coaches, who benefited more from the Covid shortened season more than Helton and Dorrell? Both were pretenders who would have been more exposed with a full slate of games, and in Helton’s case probably put off his firing because he won the PAC South
The Cat was a very tough hindrance for USC to shed for many years. Now that he’s finally gone, we can all celebrate the future of USC football, regardless of what that may be.
Gentleman Clay truly was one of the luckiest CFB coaches to ever walk the earth. But he’s finally silent, maybe secretly drawing up USC’s game plan against the Buffs today, while USC silently searches for its next coach!
I’m just so thankful Helton was booted immed after STAN slaughtered us, giving me faith USC actually does care about fixing its now lowly stature.
Don’t forget the Arkansas/Georgia game, that could have NC implications. Kiffen just loves to try to get into Sabans head, but Saban has been around the block to many times to be bothered with him. If Fickell just makes a great showing, not necessarily winning, I do believe he would be a front runner. If he beats ND, he would be THE front runner.
Sounds cruel but how about Traveller tries to drive Ralphie over a buffalo jump. When SC played Colorado and we used to have tailgate Fridays at the office, I would cook up a crock pot full of BBQ buffalo (meat) balls.
Who is the all-time USC player who first comes to mind when you think of USC football? The very first one!
I don’t like admitting it, but it’s still O.J. He was so unforgettable on the field. I’ve seen the 64 yd run at least 150 times in its entirety. Still amazing after all these years!
I love that the entire USC OL didn’t all hear the audible. The OG right in front of Simpson backed up to pass block, causing the Bruin LB opposite him to drop off into coverage, inadvertently opening up O.J.’s running lane. Life is crazy and results are often so unpredictable!
Yep, Bush has got to be up there. I once watched tape of the greatest runners in history, Dorsett, Gale Sayers et al, and Reggie Bush was the shiftiest of them all, the way that kid could cut on a dime at full speed.
Ditto. Except not just for that run, but for his entire body of work at SC. As McKay once said, or should have said, he was the prettiest runner he ever saw.
OJ for me too. Not only was he an amazing, world class running back and track star during his USC undergraduate days, he was also charismatic, approachable and friendly.
Trojan MPA90, I am not so certain. I think the SC run D is awful. CO has a good D, a great RB but a mediocre OL and a bad HC. I have no idea what is going to happen. If I were beating on the game (it is so unstable that I choose to pass), I would take CO and the points. I would not be suprised to see CO beat the Trojans. I would also not be surprised to see the Trojans win. This is the worst Trojan team I have ever seen fielded. The lack of recruiting… Read more »
2018 was pretty darn bad. You already putting 2021’s jolly crew behind those so-called Trojans. The 15-14 loss to punchless CAL in the Coliseum still stands out to me. 😂
I could not get myself to wager on the Trojans this week, so much is unknown, like what team is going to show up, with the coaches have a plan, can they adjust and how will attitudes be running. Such a dismal time to be a Trojan.
USC has only looked good for one half against the miserable Cougs this entire season, and our QB who made that happen is out. If the Buffs had any kind of history at all, they might be favored against this little Trojan choo choo train. I’m sad for USC football, but in a way not. The Trojans asked for this. We saw the train coming and just sat on the tracks with Helton stuck in first gear FOR YEARS. Maybe the silver lining is that USC will finally learn you can’t scrimp on coaching. The Trojans have tried many times… Read more »
Personally, I don’t think these downtrodden 2021 Trojans can punch their way out of a paper bag, especially against anybody any good.
USC prepared for the season they are having, not for some fantasy victories we all still imagine because the Trojans have been insanely good in the past.
Steveg, It is a great time to be a Trojan. We got rid of The Cat (the worst HC is SC history and the worst HC in Power 5); we have eliminated this entire staff from the HC search, and we have been told that a quality HC will be hired to return SC to glory. Best year in the last four. The team stinks, but it has stunk ever since Sam left. Granted, it has never stunk this bad, but it is the result of having The Cat as HC for six years. With the right hire, SC will… Read more »
I talked with Haden in the lobby of the Marriott in Chicago the week Helton was installed as the interim coach after he tarmacked Sark. He seemed uptight and distant, worried about where the program was headed. His taking a knee on the sideline at the game that next evening was a harbinger of things to come. How he could think that Helton had the ability to handle a Ferrari is incomprehensible.
I’ve said this quite a few times here. But in defense of Haden on the Helton hiring, it should be noted that it was Max Nikias who actually made the decision to hire Helton, not Haden, who was on the way out and experiencing health problems. Nikias still haunts USC to this day as a BOT member with a campus office. He let USC fall into serious scandal upon scandal before he was finally forced out. And in the meantime, he sunk USC football by hiring Helton, the career asst who nobody wanted, so as to hopefully stabilize his fundraising… Read more »
RJJ, it is a dismal period, but rest assured I still have hope, long term style with no expectations for this mess we call Trojan football. We thought with the firing that things would change, we just didn’t think it would go so far in the wrong direction.
Iowa is for real.
Wow, I just read all the comments on the eve of an SC game, and I am glad none of you is coaching this team. Where have all the pre-season optimists gone, “gone to graveyards everyone.” …
The worst SC team in history?– Please, spare me, let’s see if our boys can get the Buffalos’ goat, and then we’ll talk.
John, This is the worst SC team I can recall seeing. The home games against both Stanford and OSU were over at the end of the 3rd Q. I cannot ever recall seeing that home. Ever. Not even Paul Hackett managed that feat. I can recall the ND game Sam’s senior year being over at ND at the end of the 3rd Q. I was also at the 52-0 clobbering by ND at home. That SC team went to the Rose Bowl. Can you recall any two home games in one season where SC was routed so badly that the… Read more »
The O line for Iowa is not only massive, but beating up on Maryland badly.
Steve, Think of what this Iowa team would do to SC this year? They are two or three touchdowns better than OSU.
Which OSU? Oregon state or Ohio st?
I’ll take Iowa over either Oregon or Ohio St this season.
Gettin ready for 2 good games tonight. Go Iowa, Go BYU!!
Not impressed by BYU.
They have some talent but not NC ready. They just won me 5000.
This really is a dilemma for me. I have only intentionally skipped a football game once and then only because my fiancé insisted on getting married on a Saturday. Honestly I don’t remember if we won or lost that weekend, but I scored. Anyway the PAC 12 is hosting the High School Game of the week and there’s a rerun of Harry Potter and the I don’t give a hoot on TV. It really will be the undercard around the nation, it’s not even a good train wreck. It’s a wonder they don’t stage a race between Ralphie and Traveler… Read more »
I can’t wait to see USC try to beat the Buffs. Two bad teams and only one can lose. One of these teams will drop down to around #60 – #70 in the country. It should be one heckuva battle.
Karl Dorrell, already a sinking ship, HAS to win this one in Boulder. He always looks so sad on the sidelines, I’m not sure he can do it. But Dorrell actually beat Pete Carroll 13-9 one day in 2006, showing that anything is possible.
Which will draw the biggest viewers, the USC/CO game or the Vandy/UConn game?
Are there any two coaches, who benefited more from the Covid shortened season more than Helton and Dorrell? Both were pretenders who would have been more exposed with a full slate of games, and in Helton’s case probably put off his firing because he won the PAC South
No doubt if USC had played a 12 game season last year Helton would have been gone. Folt and Bohn could not make a move in the crazy year 2020.
The Cat was a very tough hindrance for USC to shed for many years. Now that he’s finally gone, we can all celebrate the future of USC football, regardless of what that may be.
Gentleman Clay truly was one of the luckiest CFB coaches to ever walk the earth. But he’s finally silent, maybe secretly drawing up USC’s game plan against the Buffs today, while USC silently searches for its next coach!
I’m just so thankful Helton was booted immed after STAN slaughtered us, giving me faith USC actually does care about fixing its now lowly stature.
What I am looking forward to tomorrow morning:
I would just love to see Fickell beat Notre Dame in South Bend. I don’t think it will happen, but it’s certainly possible. Go Bearcats!
But Fickell beating the Irish might make it impossible for USC to ever land him.
I don’t think I’ve seen a team experience more extreme betting line fluctuations two weeks in a row like ND. I too hope Cincy wins
Don’t forget the Arkansas/Georgia game, that could have NC implications. Kiffen just loves to try to get into Sabans head, but Saban has been around the block to many times to be bothered with him. If Fickell just makes a great showing, not necessarily winning, I do believe he would be a front runner. If he beats ND, he would be THE front runner.
Sounds cruel but how about Traveller tries to drive Ralphie over a buffalo jump. When SC played Colorado and we used to have tailgate Fridays at the office, I would cook up a crock pot full of BBQ buffalo (meat) balls.
Who is the all-time USC player who first comes to mind when you think of USC football? The very first one!
I don’t like admitting it, but it’s still O.J. He was so unforgettable on the field. I’ve seen the 64 yd run at least 150 times in its entirety.
Still amazing after all these years!
Marcus Allen.
Allen I agree, and thanks for putting that link up there, it lifts the spirits of many just to watch it over and over.
I love that the entire USC OL didn’t all hear the audible. The OG right in front of Simpson backed up to pass block, causing the Bruin LB opposite him to drop off into coverage, inadvertently opening up O.J.’s running lane. Life is crazy and results are often so unpredictable!
Reggie. He did things I’ve never seen before or since. Every time he touched it I thought he was scoring.
Yep, Bush has got to be up there. I once watched tape of the greatest runners in history, Dorsett, Gale Sayers et al, and Reggie Bush was the shiftiest of them all, the way that kid could cut on a dime at full speed.
That saying a lot to say Bush was shiftier than Sayers. Sayers was incredible. Not sure I agree on that one.
Ditto. Except not just for that run, but for his entire body of work at SC. As McKay once said, or should have said, he was the prettiest runner he ever saw.
OJ for me too. Not only was he an amazing, world class running back and track star during his USC undergraduate days, he was also charismatic, approachable and friendly.
I am with you too. OJ was captivating to watch on every play, you never knew when he would turn on the jets and be gone. Go OJ go.
In any universe, we beat the Buffs tomorrow.
Trojan MPA90, I am not so certain. I think the SC run D is awful. CO has a good D, a great RB but a mediocre OL and a bad HC. I have no idea what is going to happen. If I were beating on the game (it is so unstable that I choose to pass), I would take CO and the points. I would not be suprised to see CO beat the Trojans. I would also not be surprised to see the Trojans win. This is the worst Trojan team I have ever seen fielded. The lack of recruiting… Read more »
2018 was pretty darn bad. You already putting 2021’s jolly crew behind those so-called Trojans. The 15-14 loss to punchless CAL in the Coliseum still stands out to me. 😂
I will go out on a limb and say this team will not win 4 games becoming worse than 2018.
I could not get myself to wager on the Trojans this week, so much is unknown, like what team is going to show up, with the coaches have a plan, can they adjust and how will attitudes be running. Such a dismal time to be a Trojan.
USC has only looked good for one half against the miserable Cougs this entire season, and our QB who made that happen is out. If the Buffs had any kind of history at all, they might be favored against this little Trojan choo choo train. I’m sad for USC football, but in a way not. The Trojans asked for this. We saw the train coming and just sat on the tracks with Helton stuck in first gear FOR YEARS. Maybe the silver lining is that USC will finally learn you can’t scrimp on coaching. The Trojans have tried many times… Read more »
We need a straight up pissed off team.
Personally, I don’t think these downtrodden 2021 Trojans can punch their way out of a paper bag, especially against anybody any good.
USC prepared for the season they are having, not for some fantasy victories we all still imagine because the Trojans have been insanely good in the past.
Steveg, It is a great time to be a Trojan. We got rid of The Cat (the worst HC is SC history and the worst HC in Power 5); we have eliminated this entire staff from the HC search, and we have been told that a quality HC will be hired to return SC to glory. Best year in the last four. The team stinks, but it has stunk ever since Sam left. Granted, it has never stunk this bad, but it is the result of having The Cat as HC for six years. With the right hire, SC will… Read more »
I also loved when The Cat raved on about how Toa USUALLY got the snap right. That was just one of Helton’s numerous all-time crater moments for me.
It takes a lot to be so bad at both
We can thank the worst ADs in school history, Haden and Swann.
I talked with Haden in the lobby of the Marriott in Chicago the week Helton was installed as the interim coach after he tarmacked Sark. He seemed uptight and distant, worried about where the program was headed. His taking a knee on the sideline at the game that next evening was a harbinger of things to come. How he could think that Helton had the ability to handle a Ferrari is incomprehensible.
I’ve said this quite a few times here. But in defense of Haden on the Helton hiring, it should be noted that it was Max Nikias who actually made the decision to hire Helton, not Haden, who was on the way out and experiencing health problems. Nikias still haunts USC to this day as a BOT member with a campus office. He let USC fall into serious scandal upon scandal before he was finally forced out. And in the meantime, he sunk USC football by hiring Helton, the career asst who nobody wanted, so as to hopefully stabilize his fundraising… Read more »
RJJ, it is a dismal period, but rest assured I still have hope, long term style with no expectations for this mess we call Trojan football. We thought with the firing that things would change, we just didn’t think it would go so far in the wrong direction.