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
• StubHub: all Ohio State football tickets
• 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?

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* – Ohio State-USC logos credit: The Scores Report

* – Jim Tressel photo credit: Thunder Treats