USC vs. Oregon Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Bo Nix, Ducks Outshine Caleb Williams, Trojans?
We have a Pac-12 matchup during the Week 11 college football slate, as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host the No. 20 USC Trojans. Will Bo Nix and the Ducks outshine Caleb Williams and the Trojans? NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay answers.
Matt MacKay - November 6, 2023, 11:32 AM EST
5 minUSC vs. Oregon Prediction, Pick, Odds: Will Bo Nix, Ducks Outshine Caleb Williams, Trojans?
It may not be as highly anticipated of a matchup compared to a few weeks ago, but we've still got a good game in store in the Pac-12 during the Week 11 college football slate, as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host Caleb Williams and the No. 20 USC Trojans.
It's been a much more up-and-down year for the Trojans after their Heisman quarterback, Caleb Williams, couldn't continue covering up its defensive flaws and inefficiencies. USC is 124th out of 133 FBS defenses in points allowed per game at 34.5, surrendering chunk plays and touchdowns to all of its opponents this season, like giving up 49 points to Cal and 34 points to a run-centric Utah team with a back-up quarterback.
Now, in Week 11, the Trojans defense has to prepare for Bo Nix and the Ducks, who are first in points scored per game, averaging a whopping 47.4 points per game this season. Oregon relies on a balanced attack but there are so many weapons within its system to account for that defenses have to focus on just a couple of players to attempt to neutralize.
Even worse for USC's outlook is the fact that Oregon ranks 11th in opponent points per game allowed, holding teams to 16.0 points per game. The Ducks have allowed three total touchdowns in their past three games played, while they've scored 19 offensive touchdowns for comparison. That's over a 6:1 ratio, and now, they welcome one of the country's most porous defenses that has also lost three of its past four games outright.
NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay is back to share his latest pick and prediction for Oregon vs. USC.
USC vs. Oregon Date, Time, And Where To Watch
- Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
- Game Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
USC vs. Oregon Odds
- Spread: USC +14.5 (-110), Oregon -14.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 74.5 (-110), Over 74.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: USC (+580), Oregon (-880)
USC vs. Oregon Injury Report
USC
Questionable: WR Makai Lemon (Undisclosed), WR Michael Jackson II (Undisclosed), RB Marshawn Lloyd (Undisclosed), CB Jacobe Covington (Undisclosed)
Out: S Zion Branch (Knee), DL Korey Foreman (Undisclosed)
Oregon
Questionable: N/A
Out: K Andrew Boyle (Undisclosed), RB Noah Whittington (Foot), WR Josh Delgado (Undisclosed)
USC vs. Oregon Prediction
It's pretty obvious where we're going in this game. Oddsmakers recognize the pure lack of talent on USC's defense, setting the point total line to 73.5. While this may sound like a lock, we have to remember that the Duck's defense is a top-20 unit that has been smothering opposing offenses with relative ease. The Washington loss was more self-inflicted than anything else and it seems to be motivating Oregon to go out and crush its competition even harder than before their only loss of the season.
Oregon's opponents have scored 30 or more points in two of the nine games that the Ducks have played this season. It's an astounding feat and a testament to the quality of play being executed on both sides of the line of scrimmage for Oregon this season. Head coach Dan Lanning's viral pre-game speech against Colorado demonstrated his passion and its obviously been contagious in the Ducks' locker room.
Oregon is laying -14.5 ATS at home against USC, which quite frankly, doesn't feel like nearly enough. Caleb Williams and the Trojans offense is still more than capable of producing scores in bursts under head coach Lincoln Riley, but they haven't faced a defense like Oregon's since losing 48-20 on the road to Notre Dame. This could be a similar outcome, with an exhausted USC defense facing its toughest matchup yet, while the offense will be met with mass resistance and a quality game plan from the Ducks.
Let's lay the -14.5 ATS with Oregon at home, as they are on a mission to make the CFP and playing lights out on both sides of the football.
USC vs. Oregon Pick
- Oregon -14.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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