Prediction, Preview, and Betting Lines for USC vs. Rutgers

These two teams need to win badly.

The first four games of Rutgers’ season were a lot of fun to watch. But since then, the offense has gone flat and the defense has been having a tough time. There are still games that can be won to get to six wins, but the loss to UCLA could have been the last straw.

At the same time, USC can not make or catch its own break.

It is now 3–4, and there may only be four or five plays left to make it 7–0. In its third straight loss, it fell apart late in yet another close game.

These four games are against Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, and Notre Dame. The Trojans need to win three of them to stay in the hunt.

USC vs Rutgers Preview

USC vs Rutgers How to Watch
Date: Friday, October 25, 2024
Game Time: 11:00 pm ET
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
How to Watch: FOX
USC (3-4), Rutgers (4-3)

Why Rutgers Will Win

Once more, USC does not know how to finish.

It is not bad. The offense is throwing the ball well, and the defense should be fine. But after beating USC late in the game and Utah State easily, the team lost four of its next five games because it could not stop the scoring in the ninth.

This season, the defense is much better, but it does not put pressure on the quarterback or make big things happen behind the line. Rutgers should be able to keep this close with a strong ground game. USC is 0-3 when teams ran the ball 30 times or more.

Things will be very tough for the home team, but…

Why USC Will Win

It should be great with Miller Moss and the passing game.

Even though the Trojans threw for 336 yards last week, they still lost. This week, they should be able to keep things going a little better.

Since he is only missed 65% of his throws, Moss has not been bad. But Ethan Garbers of UCLA hit 84% of his throws last week against the Scarlet Knights and scored four touchdowns.

When Wisconsin beat Washington 42–7 a few weeks ago, Brayden Locke was great, and Will Rogers hit 73% of his throws in the tough game.

That brings up Rutgers’ bigger problem, which is time of possession. It is better for the Trojans to have the ball longer.

USC vs Rutgers: Who Will Win

Yes, USC does need a simple, easy win, but it is not going to happen.

It will win, but there will be a time when the Rutgers defense and running game take over. And the Scarlet Knights will not be able to score enough. The Trojans will finally be able to relax in the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Also, that is going to happen on the east coast around 1:30 am Saturday morning.