College football odds: Stanford clear favorite against USC
The Stanford Cardinal are 11-1 straight up and 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 games against opponents in the Pac-12 conference. The Cardinal can continue their dominance against conference foes with a win at home over the USC Trojans on Saturday night at Stanford Stadium.
Stanford is an 8.5-point favorite over the Trojans at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Steady betting action on Stanford has moved the line two full points from its opening spot at Stanford -6.5.
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After picking up a win and cover in its 26-13 home opener against the Kansas State Wildcats, the Cardinal had an early bye week last week to rest up and prepare for this game against the Trojans. Stanford has taken good advantage of its bye weeks in recent seasons with a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS record in its last seven home games coming off a bye. Christian McCaffrey had 166 total yards and two touchdowns in Stanford's win over Kansas State.
The Cardinal have enjoyed plenty of success against the Trojans in recent years. Over the last eight games between these two teams, Stanford is 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS per the OddsShark College Football Database.
Through the first two games of the season for USC, it’s hard to get a gauge on how good or bad the Trojans really are. Going up against the Alabama Crimson Tide, USC looked hopeless in a 52-6 loss. But against a much weaker Utah State Aggies team at home last Saturday, the Trojans cruised to a 45-7 win and cover. USC improved to just 2-6 ATS in its last six games with that cover and is only 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games against the Cardinal.
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The total for Saturday's USC vs. Stanford betting matchup is set at 52.5 points. The UNDER is 7-2 in USC's last nine games on the road.
Stanford has won the Pac-12 three times in the last four years, and is a favorite to do so again in 2016. The last time these two teams met, McCaffrey had 207 rushing yards, 105 receiving yards and a passing touchdown. USC's defense will need to solve the Heisman hopeful this time around if the Trojans hope to keep the game close.
