Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Understanding Public and Money
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Expert Picks
We’ll grab the value on the full point move in this spread in what should be a tight game to the wire. Grab the Trojans and the points.
Sometimes, the number moves so dramatically that a pick is based primarily on value. The total began at 58. Yes, they combined for 73 points last season, yet USC’s offense is a shadow of its former self. The line is decimated, with C Max Tuerk (knee) the latest casualty, and QB Sam Darnold’s name has disappeared from Heisman Trophy watch lists. The Fighting Irish are operating on all cylinders but have shifted this year to a ground-oriented offense that does not ring up points as quickly as an air-raid one. QB Brandon Wimbush (foot) is improving but he did sit out the most recent game two Saturdays ago. The Domers’ defense has not yielded more than 20 points in a game.
The Fighting Irish are the most slept on 1-loss team in college football. I love how they are playing defensively. The Trojans, while talented, are highly inconsistent from week-to-week; and they have a QB in Sam Darnold who tends to be a turnover machine.
USC was way overrated coming into the season. The Trojans have covered the large spreads just once in their seven games, including failures in their last five. But what has happened along the long the way, while the Trojans’ rating has been falling, is that value has circled back around on them. At the same time, Notre Dame's rating has increased to the point where there is value with USC.