USC vs. Colorado game preview, prediction: Who wins, and why?
Deion Sanders and company return home to Boulder this weekend in another landmark Pac-12 statement game, albeit down some prominent players on the injury list, as newly-unranked Colorado welcomes undefeated, No. 8 ranked USC in college football's Week 5 action on Saturday.
Colorado fell out of the AP top 25 rankings this week after the first loss of the season, a 42-6 decision at Oregon that raised plenty of questions around the Buffaloes' ability to adequately generate and repel pressure on both lines of scrimmage.
USC, meanwhile, is playing behind the No. 2 total offense averaging 569 yards per game, the 1st overall scoring attack generating 55 points per game, ranking 2nd best in scoring margin per game, beating opponents by an average of 35 points.
What can you expect from the matchup? Here's what you should watch for as USC and Colorado meet up, along with our Week 5 game predictions.
USC vs. Colorado preview, prediction
USC vs. Colorado picks, predictions
USA Today Images
How to watch
When: Sat., Sept. 30
Time: 10 a.m. MT, 9 a.m. PT
TV: Fox network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)
USC vs. Colorado game odds
Courtesy of SI Sportsbook
Line: USC -21.5
Total: 73.5 points
Moneyline: USC -2000 | CU +725
FPI pick: USC 89.7% to win
What to watch for
1. USC up front. Say what you will about the Trojans' defense, but their front line should have an edge against Colorado's blockers. The Buffaloes' line allowed a ton of pressure against just four rushers a week ago, a recipe for disaster as the passing game will struggle to find lanes against a secondary with seven tacklers in coverage. USC is 11th nationally with a 10.46 percent sack rate per game and Shedeur Sanders has been brought down 22 times already.
2. Reunion. Wide receiver Brenden Rice initially suited up for Colorado before transferring to USC last season. The son of Jerry Rice, the now-senior pass catcher is one of USC's 4 receivers to have caught 10 or more passes, and has turned 12 catches into 257 yards and five touchdown grabs, while posting 21.4 yards per catch. He's one of 9 targets USC has thrown to so far.
3. Trojans' balanced attack. Behind strong blocking, especially on the edges, the Trojans have the capacity to open consistent running lanes for their backs while keeping Caleb Williams clean in the pocket. He should find adequate holes to target an elite rotation of receivers against a Colorado defense that ranks 125th in total production, allowing 476 total yards per game, and struggles to get to the quarterback.
USC vs. Colorado prediction
USC's offense looked sluggish in last week's win at Arizona State, stumbling through some sloppy early play, had some costly penalties, lost a fumble, and was just 3 of 10 on third down. Any mishaps early on, and Colorado still has the speed in space to take advantage and keep the game close.
But the absence of Colorado star defensive players Travis Hunter and Shilo Sanders, the combination of Williams and his deep threats against the Buffaloes' second-level tacklers, a stable pocket on the edges, and enough of a ground game to churn out consistent gainers against Colorado's front seven are tough to beat.
College Football HQ predicts...
- USC wins 41-17
- Covers the spread
- And hits the under
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