Usc vs. Cal

[lightweight]

Vin, exclude the Presbyterian game and Cal's offense is averaging 27.5 pts/g and the defense is giving up 32 pts/g; their yds/rush drops from 4.43 to 3.99 while their yds/rush allowed goes from 4.04 to 4.63; their yds/pass attempt allowed jumps up to 8.37 (from 7.5). I would be pleasantly surprised to see Cal win, but this team is too erratic to have great value. I'd sooner take USC and cross the 0 in a teaser than touch the 9 or 10 that Cal would command because they very well might lose this game by two touchdowns (USC 33, Cal 20).

[Love The Action]

God write ups annoy me....

but since you want some reasons....here.....

1) Cal leads USC in offensive stats this far into the season, and I think has played a tougher schedule up to this point.
2) While USC has a SLIGHTLY (AND I DO MEAN SLIGHTLY) better defense, Cal has a better pass defense. It is quite possible they could shut down Barkley making the run game more important for USC.
3) The game is on a neutral Field.
4) Regardless of USC being on probation - USC is still USC to people. They still have a target on their back even when they are down. For USC on the other hand, this is just another game on the schedule.

My play is Cal +3, but I realize most people still expect USC to be USC and pound Cal like last season.

Just an fyi, cal does not lead usc in offensive production. Usc is the 32nd ranked team in S&P+ offensive efficiency and cal is 73, with usc leading in both passing and rushing efficiency. Plus, even if you look at outdated conventional stats, usc has the better passing stats. Can you explain or back up your first point? Thanks.

[Vin_vermillion]

I was looking at yards per game for offensive production i believe. Will have to check later on iphone now

[Vin_vermillion]

From what i see - cal leads USC in both points per game and yards per game. Go with ur gut people. I dont care - the guy asked for reasons to bet cal and i gave him some.

[Brutus84]

I think what he is trying to say is USC hasn't played a team with the first 4 letters of preb...

[Vin_vermillion]

USC also hasnt played a team with the first four letters OREG.....or anything close to it.

[Elevated]

I'm on USC tonight, with a QB like Barkley this year being at 70% COMP% this game should go OVER 58 also..
1. USC is getting their 6'5 freshman Kyle Prater back from a foot injury he is questionable but I'm sure he will get some time which means more fresh tall legs for USC.
2. USC running game is inconsistent but the passing game will light it up tonight under the national spotlight.
3. Both teams playing at a neutral field AT&T Park, although it's in SAN FRAN it's still neutral
4. Lane Kiffin is a little BITC* and is going to want to prove that he can win big tonight
5. USC was on a BYE WEEK so they have had time to prep for this game
6. CAL's QB Maynard hasn't proved anything and is VERY inconsistent. If USC puts enough pressure on him he's very inaccurate look for USC to step up on their pass D.

The pick for me: USC -4

[Elevated]

USC also hasnt played a team with the first four letters OREG.....or anything close to it.

Exactly and look at what happened to CAL when they played Oregon, BLOW OUT!
You gotta remember they loss to the ducks. It would have been different if they could have actually scored a point in the second half..

[Vin_vermillion]

I'm on USC tonight, with a QB like Barkley this year being at 70% COMP% this game should go OVER 58 also..
1. USC is getting their 6'5 freshman Kyle Prater back from a foot injury he is questionable but I'm sure he will get some time which means more fresh tall legs for USC.
2. USC running game is inconsistent but the passing game will light it up tonight under the national spotlight.
3. Both teams playing at a neutral field AT&T Park, although it's in SAN FRAN it's still neutral
4. Lane Kiffin is a little BITC* and is going to want to prove that he can win big tonight
5. USC was on a BYE WEEK so they have had time to prep for this game
6. CAL's QB Maynard hasn't proved anything and is VERY inconsistent. If USC puts enough pressure on him he's very inaccurate look for USC to step up on their pass D.

The pick for me: USC -4

did you buy points to get a worse line?

Just kidding - dont throw a fit.

[Elevated]

did you buy points to get a worse line?

Just kidding - dont throw a fit.

Yeah my line sucks, going through a local
I still think USC will cover it.

[RenoHightower]

pete carroll will pull this one off, if you don't think he will do so in this game make sure you are on cal. good luck!

I don't know, the Aaron Rodgers fella from Cal can really wing it.

[Numenor80]

Exactly and look at what happened to CAL when they played Oregon, BLOW OUT!
You gotta remember they loss to the ducks. It would have been different if they could have actually scored a point in the second half..

I thought the game was a lot closer than the box score showed. For cal to play like they did @@@Oregon showed a lot. They have the talent, it's just a matter of it showing up. I think it shows up tonight.

[AdamL2424]

Sorry Vin those weren't reasons to take Cal. Maybe reasons to not go as big but this will end up being a big play for me. That says alot since I never bet on SC... SC by atleast 10

[Vin_vermillion]

if those arent reasons, then there was nothing anyone could tell you that WAS a reason.....

[AdamL2424]

Ok... SC is the play.. BOL

[SOUP]

Cal + the points and the ml is the play!!!

[klrqn]

pete carroll will pull this one off, if you don't think he will do so in this game make sure you are on cal. good luck!

whooo?

[AdamL2424]

You guys have no basis why Cal is the play... Barkley throwing 70% and one of the top WR in the nation and the 2 defenses are equal at best.

[SOUP]

You guys have no basis why Cal is the play... Barkley throwing 70% and one of the top WR in the nation and the 2 defenses are equal at best.

Crunch all the numbers you want rookie.

[AdamL2424]

Rookie?!! Let me guess you are a "sharp"

[SOUP]

Rookie?!! Let me guess you are a "sharp"

No but I don't get a hard on over a QB's completion %.

[AdamL2424]

Well maybe you should... That has alot to do with moving the ball and putting points on the board... That's the point of the game.. You know to put points on the board... But BOL whichever way you go Soup no reason to get in a pissing match

[alling]

Usc -3

[TroyGreen]

USC on paper is a much better team. The main problem I see with USC (outside of Kiffin) is that they have a 6,5' fullback in a fullback heavy offense. I'm pretty sure the other team can tell which way the play is going very quickly with Ellison (USC) lead blocking.

[TroyGreen]

I'm on USC tonight, with a QB like Barkley this year being at 70% COMP% this game should go OVER 58 also..
6. CAL's QB Maynard hasn't proved anything and is VERY inconsistent. If USC puts enough pressure on him he's very inaccurate look for USC to step up on their pass D.

The pick for me: USC -4

This game may come down to #6. Can Maynard throw the ball 5 to 15 yards with touch and accuracy? He can throw the ball down the field but anything short and/or with touch doesn't look good at all.

[PD77]

I think no-play is the play. I'll take a look at halftime.

[Elevated]

6. CAL's QB Maynard hasn't proved anything and is VERY inconsistent. If USC puts enough pressure on him he's very inaccurate look for USC to step up on their pass D.

Boy! Looking interesting!!

[beerman2619]

guess alot of people didn't take into consideration USC coming off a bye week.