Southern California vs Colorado Expert Picks: Reality Check Awaits Coach Prime?

Unbeaten no more, it’s back to the drawing board for the Colorado Buffaloes. Coming off a blowout loss to Oregon, the Buffaloes will face their second Pac-12 contender in as many weeks when they host No. 8 USC on Saturday at Folsom Field. The Trojans, the country’s top-scoring team, are coming off a 42-28 victory over Arizona State.

After opening as 17.5-point favorites, the Trojans are now -21.5 (-110) and -1200 to win outright. Meanwhile, Colorado is +21.5 (-110) on the spread and +750 on the moneyline. The projected total is 73.5 (-110 Over, -110 Under).

Do the Trojans have what it takes to cover? Or are the Buffaloes poised to bounce back? Read on as we break down the Southern California vs Colorado odds in our game preview.

Trojans vs Buffaloes Betting Trends

The USC Trojans are 2-2 against the spread this season and 2-4 over their last six games. The total has gone Over in 11 of their last 12 games. Meanwhile, the Colorado Buffaloes are just 4-12 ATS over their last 16 games. In 11 of their last 15 contests, the total has gone Over. That’s important to remember when assessing the Southern California vs Colorado odds.

Pump the Brakes on Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes finally met their match last week, losing 42-6 to No. 10 Oregon. With that, the Buffaloes’ (3-1, 2-2 ATS) undefeated start ended. So, too, did their stay in the AP Top 25 NCAAF rankings. And their buzz as a darkhorse national championship contender? Yes, that came to a halt as well.

The Buffaloes, who had taken the college football world by storm under new head coach Deion Sanders, reminded everyone just how far they still have to go to become a legitimate contender. In many ways, it was a necessary reality check for a program coming off a 1-11 last season.

Shedeur Sanders — the son of the former Hall of Fame cornerback — has been instrumental in Colorado’s stirring start, with 11 touchdown passes compared to only one interception. But his Heisman Trophy odds took a significant hit in the loss to Oregon, plummeting from +1800 to +6000. Additionally, Colorado’s college football championship odds dropped. The Buffaloes entered Saturday with +11000 odds to win it all. Those odds are now +25000.

Oregon exposed many of Colorado’s flaws, outgaining the Buffaloes 522-199 while sacking Sanders seven times. So, while the Buffaloes — who were projected for just 3.5 wins — are on pace to crush expectations, it’s still best to temper some of the enthusiasm around the program.

Keep in mind, the Buffaloes are still without arguably their biggest playmaker in Travis Hunter. The two-way star suffered a lacerated liver due to a late hit in a 43-35 double overtime win over Colorado State on Sept. 16.

As Goes Williams, So Go the Trojans

The USC Trojans have been as good as advertised through four weeks. The No. 8 Trojans are averaging an FBS-best 55 points per game and rank third in yards (569.2/game). They’re 4-0 but just 2-2 ATS.

The key to their success, of course, is no secret. It starts — and ends — with Caleb Williams. The junior won the Heisman Trophy last season and is the favorite once again at +380, though Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (+400) is fast on his heels. Williams has completed 74.3% of his passes for 1,200 yards, 15 touchdowns, and no interceptions, while also rushing for three scores. In doing so, the dual-threat has affirmed his status as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Unsurprisingly, oddsmakers remain bullish on USC. The Trojans — who were projected for 10.0 wins — remain a +230 favorite to win the Pac 12 and are +1400 to win it all. Those are the sixth-best odds on the board, trailing two-time defending national champion Georgia, Michigan, Florida State, Texas, and Ohio State.

The Trojans will have plenty of opportunities to improve their resume down the stretch, with four of their last eight games against ranked opponents. And that doesn’t include this week’s clash against the Buffaloes, who dropped from No. 19 in the AP poll to outside the Top 25.

For NCAAF scores and odds, betting news, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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