“If you’re going to bet on the game, do yourself a favor. Take USC. A 24-point spread is significant, but the Trojans should have no problem covering it.”
By Michael Dixon, Featured Columnist September 1, 2011
Minnesota is coming off of a 3-9 season where they went 2-6 in Big 10 play.
USC didn’t play to their normally high standards, but still managed an 8-5 record. They went 5-4 in Pac-10 (now Pac-12) play.
One of their games was a 32-21 win in Minnesota against the Golden Gophers.
Their 2011 rematch takes place in USC’s home, the Los Angeles Coliseum. Bodog lists the Trojans as 24-point favorites. If you’re going to bet on the game, do yourself a favor. Take USC. A 24-point spread is significant, but the Trojans should have no problem covering it.
A lot of people are picking USC as a top team this year. Some are even saying that they are the Pac-12’s top team, but won’t be able to play the postseason.
I am not sure that I buy that. They are likely the Pac-12 South’s likely top team, but they aren’t as good as Stanford or Oregon. The scandals still hand over USC, and that will come back to hurt them.
But they aren’t playing Stanford or Oregon here. This isn’t their midseason trip to South Bend to play Notre Dame. This is Minnesota.
USC has now played with all of the offseason drama for a season. They’re a little more used to it.
Now, against Minnesota, they are at home, a year older, with a year of experience to go off of. Matt Barkley is a genuine Heisman Trophy candidate. Look for a big game out of him.
USC is eager to show that the last few seasons have been uncharacteristically bad. They might have problems down the line at some point, but they won’t show here.
Taking a big point spread in the opening game of a season is normally not a good idea. USC isn’t really concerned about covering the spread. Still, they are worried about making a statement. A positive statement will come only in the form of a blowout.
This one could get ugly quick. USC will have no problem covering this spread.
Prediction: USC-49, Minnesota-10
Editors Note: Final score USC 19, Minnesota 17
