College Football Betting: Spotlight Matchup of the Week
by Bodog Sportsbook | Nov 16 2011
The No. 4 Oregon Ducks will try to keep their rejuvenated BCS Championship hopes alive when they host the USC Trojans in
college football betting action this Saturday night in Eugene.
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Trojans have nothing to loseWith last Saturday's big
college football betting win over previously unbeaten Stanford, Oregon has climbed back into the BCS Championship conversation. The Ducks are currently ranked No. 4 in the BCS standings, and like Alabama, their only loss of the season came against top-ranked LSU.
Some would argue that since the Ducks' loss was at a neutral location (instead of at home), and that Oregon will have the Pac-12 Championship while Alabama will be idle, Oregon could jump Alabama in the BCS standings. If that were to happen, Oregon would be in position for a rematch against LSU in the National Championship - if undefeated and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State was to stumble.
Meanwhile, the USC Trojans are leading the Pac-12 South, but they won't be representing the division in the Pac-12 Championship or be going bowling this season due to NCAA restrictions. As a result, they don't have anything to lose in this game - which makes them very dangerous. The same was true when USC embraced the spoiler role and pushed Stanford to their limits in a triple-overtime thriller several weeks ago.
No doubt Oregon will be focused, but they still have the Pac-12 Championship and the Rose Bowl or BCS Championship coming down the pipe. This is the biggest game remaining on the Trojans' schedule, so they'll be treating it like a bowl game.
Oregon loves home cookingAutzen Stadium in Eugene is widely known as one of the loudest and most intense stadiums in all of college football. As Oregon has built its program up to an elite level over the last few years, the stadium's home advantage has become even more decisive.
Since a loss to Boise State back in 2008, Oregon has reeled off 21 straight wins at home in
college football betting results. The Ducks have won each of their last 11 home games by at least two touchdowns, and beat USC 47-20 the last time they faced them in Eugene back in 2009.
Not only does Autzen's crowd noise affect opposing offenses, but it also impacts opposition defensive units. Oregon feeds off the home crowd when on the attack, and the noise makes it difficult for opposing defenses to communicate - which is essential when facing a quick no-huddle attack like Oregon's.
Not only have the Ducks been dominant at home, but they've also been unstoppable in conference play. Oregon's win over Stanford brought their winning streak against Pac-12 opponents to 19 straight games. If Oregon wins this week, they'll be one step closer to breaking USC's all-time record conference winning streak of 27 games, set from 2003 to 2006.
Meanwhile, the Trojans are 3-1 SU and ATS on the road this season including a win over Notre Dame as a 10-point underdog.
USC defense under fireDespite facing the third-best rushing defense in the nation last Saturday, Oregon made it look easy against Stanford. LaMichael James rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, adding yet another explosive game to his resume this season and perhaps getting his name back into the Heisman Trophy conversation.
USC has been solid against the run this season allowing just 100.4 rushing yards per game, and they've given up 17 points or less in seven of their ten games. But in each of those games in which the Trojans have given up more than 17 points, they've given up more than 40 points: 41 to Arizona, 43 to Arizona State, and 56 to Stanford. Considering the Ducks average 46.7 points per game (third-best in the nation), you have to figure they are more likely to be in the “over 40” category than they are the “under 17”.
Oregon is listed as a 15-point favorite on the
college football betting lines. USC is averaging a competitive 34.1 points per game on offense, but the big question is whether or not they'll be able to slow Oregon down at home with their defense. The Ducks are 3-1 both SU and ATS in their last four games against USC, and have won each of their last two meetings by at least three touchdowns.
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