Prediction: USC at Colorado
Even though USC is only 4-3, this is still Southern Cal we're talking about here. The team of Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell. The school that had Reggie Bush. The school with the best fight song.
So this is a big one for Colorado.
It's big for Colorado not just because USC is a big-name program, but because hosting USC is one of the best chances CU is going to have to win a game the rest of this season. The Buffaloes are trying to make a bowl game, and need three more wins to do that.
After tonight, CU plays UCLA on the road, then hosts Stanford and Washington before finishing the season at Utah. In other words, Colorado needs this win and should be playing in front of a rowdy home crowd -- though this cold snap is a bit of a concern on that front.
Statistically, these teams are pretty even. Despite that, USC is a big favorite, with the line moving as far as -13.
This is because Colorado's defense is just totally hopeless.
The last two weeks, Colorado has been crushed 41-10 and 45-3. Three players have left the program -- including a starting safety for a team that was already helpless against the pass.
Colorado's only opportunity to beat USC is to get into a shootout and get some timely turnovers or special teams plays. The CU offense is pretty good -- and the running game is getting better every week, but it's starting to look like the Buffaloes don't have the spirit they did at the beginning of the year, and for that reason I expect a big USC win.
USC 38, Colorado 27.
