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Stanford vs USC preview, prediction, betting odds, live stream info

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Max Browne (4) celebrates after a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Max Browne (4) celebrates after a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Idaho Vandals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Stanford Cardinal vs. No. 6 USC Trojans

Stanford has had a shaky start to the 2015 season, marching into Evanston, Ill., in week one, looking for an easy win over Northwestern, but coming up short. The Cardinal followed that up with a solid 31-7 victory over Central Florida in week two. Which team will we see in week three against rival USC?

The Trojans have been blowing cupcake teams out left and right to begin the year, but Stanford is no walk in the park. Although USC has outscored its first two opponents 114-15, expect the offense to have a tough time doing whatever it wants against the Cardinal like it did against Idaho and Arkansas State.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: Sept. 19
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Stadium: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV Info: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN app
Radio: For the Stanford radio affiliate, click here. For the USC radio affiliate, click here.
Ticket Information: For ticket info, click here.

Keys to Victory

Cody Kessler is one of the many Heisman contenders right now and the USC quarterback has played well enough this season to warrant consideration for frontrunner. Despite playing weak opponents, his numbers are hard to overlook as he’s passed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns while completing an unreal 79 percent of his passes.

For the Trojans to come out on top in this one, he will need to be on his game and get the ball in the hands of JuJu Smith. No clear No. 2 receiver has arisen just yet, but that’s another key for USC. If the Trojans can’t develop another top target, Stanford will have no problem narrowing in on Smith.

The defense will need to hold Kevin Hogan is check as well as it has allowed 356 yards per game to nobody opponents.

Hogan had a tremendous bounce-back game against UCF in week two after playing horribly against Northwestern in the season opener. He completed 17-of-29 passes for 341 yards and three scores. He will need to take advantage of a weak USC secondary which has looked mediocre against Idaho and Arkansas State.

Christian McCaffrey is the most targeted receiver right now — and he’s a running back — catching nine passes for 82 yards and a score, but Hogan needs to develop a bond with more than just one or two guys to have success. Devon Cajuste and Austin Hooper will need to step up to help the senior QB.

As always, Stanford’s defense will need to hold Kessler to under 300 passing yards. If he finishes with more than 300, USC wins.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: USC -10
Moneyline: Stanford -115, USC -105
O/U: 50

Prediction

I think USC wins this one simply because the Trojans have Cody Kessler and Stanford doesn’t. Kevin Hogan is a solid alternative, but he hasn’t played well in a big game in quite some time.

Stanford’s defense is stronger, but the Trojans’ offense is extremely hard to yield. The Trojans will pull away in a big third-quarter showing.

Final: Stanford 20, USC 35

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