Rutgers vs. USC Prediction, Picks & Odds: Week 9

USC will look to get back to .500 when the Trojans take on Rutgers on Friday night at 11 p.m. (FOX) from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. 

Both the Trojans and Scarlet Knights enter Friday night’s game on three-game losing streaks, as we make the best Rutgers vs. USC prediction. The Scarlet Knights started the season 4-0, but they’ve struggled on both sides of the ball in recent weeks, allowing 35 or more points twice, while scoring seven points in two of their three games.

Meanwhile, the Trojans have lost nothing but close contests while tumbling down the College Football Playoff odds. Their four losses this season have come by a combined 14 points, and they’ve yet to lose a game by more than seven.

As part of our Week 9 college football predictions, we look at whether or not USC can cover as a 13.5-point favorite.

Best Rutgers vs. USC picks

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

• Against the spread pick: USC -13.5 () vs. Rutgers ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• My best bet: Miller Moss Over 2.5 passing touchdowns () ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rutgers vs. USC against the spread prediction: Week 9

USC to cover the spread: - 13.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rutgers vs. USC opening odds:

• Rutgers: +12.5 (-110)
• USC: -12.4 (-110)

The Scarlet Knights have allowed 77 points in their last two weeks. Last week, they allowed the UCLA Bruins to score 20 points for the first time this season. The Bruins ended up scoring 35 points in the game. 

This week, against a Trojans offense scoring 30.3 points per game this season, it’s hard to imagine the Scarlet Knights having much success on the defensive side of the ball. Rutgers is 75th or worse in the nation in both pass and run defense. While the Trojans don’t run the ball particularly well, their 19th-ranked pass offense led by Miller Moss will have no problem moving the ball.

Scarlet Knights continue to sputter

And then there is the Scarlet Knight offense. They scored 32 points last week against one of the worst Power 4 defenses in the country. But in the two games prior, they didn’t even get into double-digits. 

The Scarlet Knights are averaging the 50th-most rushing yards per game, however, they won’t stay close enough to effectively use that unit on Friday. That means quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis will have to lead the team to victory, which is highly unlikely considering he has 1,337 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions this season.

There’s nothing positive for Rutgers entering this game.

Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.83%

Rutgers vs. USC best bet

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Miller Moss Over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+112) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Before last week, UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers had thrown for just four touchdown passes all season. He matched that total against the struggling Scarlet Knights’ secondary.

Moss has thrown 14 touchdown passes this season, and he’s thrown three touchdown passes in three of his seven games. That's why he was considered a Heisman Trophy odds contender earlier in the season.

Another reason this is a must-play is the price being offered by FanDuel. They’re asking +112, while Caesars and bet365 are asking -106 and -110. Those prices imply a greater than 50% chance that Moss hits this Over, while FanDuel’s number implies just a 47.17% probability. That type of discrepancy means there is serious value to be had betting at FanDuel.

Best odds: +112 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 47.17%

Rutgers vs. USC odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Rutgers vs. USC game info

• When: Friday, Oct. 25
• Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
• Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles)
• How to watch: FOX
• Weather: 70 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, wind 6 mph SW
• Favorite: USC -13.5 (-110 via Caesars)

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