Ohio State-USC Preview, Analysis, and Prediction
If the current USC – Ohio State odds for Saturday night are any indication, the latest installment of this burgeoning rivalry will be one to forget…at least for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are listed as seven-point underdogs at home to the Trojans.
How the mighty have fallen.
Let’s break down why Ohio State seems primed for a disappointment at home. But first, the particulars for this weekend’s game, via the MSF college football TV schedule for Saturday, September 12th:
(4) USC Trojans vs (6) Ohio State Buckeyes
- USC-Ohio State Date and Time: Saturday, September 12th at 8:00 ET
- USC-Ohio State Kickoff Time: 8:00 ET
- USC-Ohio State Location: The Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio
- USC-Ohio State TV: ESPN
- USC-Ohio State Point Spread: USC -7
- StubHub: Ohio State-USC tickets
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- StubHub: all USC football tickets
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Ohio State-USC Preview
To understand why Ohio State will fail this week, let’s examine what went wrong last week. Sure, Ohio State “beat” Navy, but a four-point home victory over Navy hardly qualifies as a success.
Terrelle Pryor made plays with his feet, as usual, but matched his lone touchdown pass of the day with an interception late in the game. The Buckeyes didn’t run the ball with much authority either.
Perhaps most concerning was Ohio State’s defense, which shocked college football betting fans by allowing 342 yards of offense, punctuated by two passing touchdowns from Navy’s Ricky Dobbs.
If Navy could pick apart Ohio State, it’s scary to imagine what USC might do on Saturday.
Matt Barkley, the first true freshman to start under center in USC history, passed his first test last week against San Jose State, going 15/19 for 233 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He played the caretaker role, letting dynamic tailback and Heisman Trophy hopeful Joe McKnight do the heavy lifting. McKnight rushed 14 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 54-yard scamper.
A good sports betting system for football is to watch for patterns of how a team wins and how a team loses.
Last week, USC showed an efficient passing game, able to inflict damage when it needed to, and handed off the rock the rest of the time, chewing up clock and tiring out the opposing defense. Ohio State scraped by Navy last week but struggled against the run and even allowed some scores through the air. If that’s not a recipe for a USC win, nothing is.
Since USC’s defense is strong and should fluster Pryor, the seven-point spread for USC on the road is totally justifiable. Pick the Trojans with confidence; the 2009 Buckeyes aren’t in their league.
Ohio State-USC Prediction
Betting services recommend: USC -7
What do you think?
Who will win this weekend's matchup between Ohio State and USC in the Horseshoe?
- USC (48%, 46 Votes)
- Ohio State (52%, 49 Votes)
Total Voters: 95
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* – Ohio State-USC logos credit: The Scores Report
* – Jim Tressel photo credit: Thunder Treats
Tags: College Football, Matt Barkley, ohio state buckeyes, Ohio State-USC preview, Ohio State-USC tickets, Sports Betting, Terrelle Pryor, USC Trojans
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After having watched the play of Terrell Pryor and Matt Barkley, I am going to state something that is sacriligious in Ohio: The Ohio State University Buckeyes have been slipping for some time. And, I am (as an OSU alum) sorry to say and to see that Pryor is not what he is cracked up to be.
It had been reported over the air and in print that Pryor really stepped up his game from last year. But from what I saw against Navy, Pryor’s passing has improved, but his decision-making has not. And he seemed as clueless last week against the Navy defense as he did against other opposing defenses last year.
Barkley, on the other hand, against San Jose State, appeared in control, decisive, having the ability to think on his feet, more poised.
Not so great as recruiting as his predecessors, Jim Tressel went all out to get Pryor, a Pennsylvania kid, to Columbus. He was given a lot of leeway last year; and the same will probably true this season — especially after watching Buckeye QB runner-up Bronkowski? get through his one series of plays.
We’ll hear what the fanatic OSU fans say after this one, Saturday night. I can’t see the Buckeyes winning.
Reply
JRod Reply:
September 12th, 2009 at 8:16 am
@Midnight Writer,
MW is back!
I’m not a Buckeye fan, but I do want to see OSU win, and am worried that they won’t have what it takes to get the job done. Pryor obviously has loads of talent, but I agree, his decision-making has to get better at some point and he will, eventually, have to be not insulated from criticism by his youth. Luckily he has this game in front of the home crowd and I think we’ll know a lot more about how he has progressed. The Buckeyes often stumble a bit in their first game of the year, but tonight everything will be on Pryor’s shoulders. He has to deliver or the Trojans are going to come steal one in Columbus.
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I agree Pryor decision making is why Ohio State will lose this game
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