Southern Cal Trojans at Minnesota Golden Gophers, TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Saturday, September 18, 2010, 3:30 pm EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: USC -13
Current Line: USC -12
Opening Total: 53
Current Total: 54 1/2
Money Line: USC -450/ Minnesota +370
Lines and Totals from Above Taken From Bookmaker Sportsbook
Coach Lane Kiffin takes his USC Trojans on the road to Minnesota top take on Tim Brewster and the Gophers. The Trojans are 2-0 so far but have yet to play a complete game on both sides of the ball. The defense didn’t show up in USC’s 49-36 victory over Hawaii, and last week the offense took the week off in a 17-14 victory over Virginia in L.A. The Gophers have problems if their own, losing at home last week to South Dakota 41-38 after a narrow 24-17 victory at Middle Tennessee to open the season.
The Trojans escaped with a narrow 17-14 victory at home against a Virginia team picked to finish near the bottom of the ACC. For the second week in a row, USC was outgained by it’s opponent. In this case the Cavaliers outgained them 340-329. USC could not establish the run rushing for only 127 yards. The passing game was okay, but not that great either. Matt Barkley threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns after throwing for 257 yards and 5 touchdowns last week against Hawaii. Barkley has yet to throw an interception this year. The running game was so productive against Hawaii racking up over 250 yards. after playing so badly the week before the defense was much improved against Virginia. The Trojans held the Cavs to 340 total yards. Quarterback Mark Verica threw for 190 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception. It is hard to say which Trojans team will show up, but if the Trojans can play a complete game on both sides of the ball, they could be very dangerous. But as everyone knows even if USC runs the table they are not allowed to go to a bowl because of the Reggie Bush mess. You have to wonder if eventually the Trojans lose motivation as they can only play the role of spoiler, and the games become more and more meaningless for them.
Minnesota gave up 444 yards, and 41 points to FCS South Dakota in an embarrassing 41-38 loss. It doesn’t bode well for Gophers with high-powered USC coming to town. There is not really a lot to say about the Gopher’s defense. It isn’t very good. Though it played some what better the week before against MTSU. At one point Minnesota was down to South Dakota 28-10 early in the third quarter, and were never to pull any closer than 10 points until the scored with 3 minutes to go to make it 41-38. The Gopher’s offense is led by Quarterback Adam Weber who has thrown for 408 yards and 3 touchdowns this season and halfback Duane Bennett who has rushed for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns so far.
The Trojans have done a lot of travelling so far this season going to play at Hawaii, a home game in Los Angeles the following week and now they travel to Minnesota. Interestingly enough Lane Kiffin interviewed for the Gopher’s head coaching job in 2007 and was almost set to take the job before being hired by the Oakland Raiders. The weather is supposed to be a little chilly with a 30 percent chance of rain. Game time temps are predicted to be in the mid 50’s.
I honestly dont get the move on this game, Minnesota is allowing almost 8 yards per play in the first 2 games against awful teams, now wiseguys are looking to bet on them against a strong trojan passing team that finally has their legs back after a trip from Hawaii? We haven’t released this as a premium pick to our clients yet, but could possibly do so if the line keeps trickling down. Either way check out the Saturday college football picks we have released so far which includes a rare 20 unit play which should be an easy point spread winner for all on board.
