The winner of this Saturday’s 82nd meeting between crosstown rivals will represent the Pac-12 South Division in the conference championship, as the USC Trojans take on the UCLA Bruins inside the Rose Bowl. Let’s take a closer look at this marquee matchup from a betting perspective.


Trojans get back to their winning ways


USC snapped a two-game losing streak by picking up a 38-17 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils as 10-point home favorites, while going UNDER the total for the first time in three weeks. The Trojans managed to limit the Sun Devils to just 250 total yards, which was far different than the school-record 730 yards they surrendered just a week earlier.


Bruins escape with a victory in Pullman


UCLA was definitely in a sandwich situation this past Saturday, coming off a blowout victory over the Arizona Wildcats, while looking dead ahead to back-to-back home games against USC and Stanford. The Bruins came away with a 44-36 win over the Washington State Cougars as 16.5-point road favorites, but were out-gained by a 190-yard margin, which was the biggest statistical defeat of the entire season.


Cardinal and Gold have dominated this series


Sports bettors may be a bit surprised that the Trojans are listed as four-point road favorites on the college football odds page, but it’s definitely not shocking when you consider that Saturday’s visitor has won 12 of the last 13 meetings. USC has compiled a 9-4 against-the-spread record in that span, while the UNDER has cashed in the last six get togethers overall.


Franklin will have motivation on his side


Bruins running back Johnathan Franklin is coming off a 66-yard performance against the Cougars, but he still ranks sixth nationally in averaging 127.0 yards per game, as he prepares to beat the Trojans for the first time before leaving Westwood. The senior ran for 55 yards in last year’s 50-0 blowout loss as 16-point road underdogs in this rivalry, while the game stayed UNDER the posted total of 56.5.


Barkley has plenty to play for


Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley is no longer in the 2012 Heisman Trophy race, but he did throw a record-tying six touchdown passes in last year’s meeting with the Bruins inside a sold-out Los Angeles Coliseum. Barkley owns plenty of school records, as he looks to finish his career with a perfect 4-0 straight-up and ATS record against the Bruins.


Early Prediction

I’m going to recommend that readers take a long look at the Bruins as one of their college football picks this weekend, as the Trojans have gone 0-3 ATS when losing the rushing battle this year. UCLA’s offense is averaging 120 more yards than a season ago, with Franklin being the key to victory.