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Stanford vs USC, Pac-12 Championship Game preview, predictions, betting odds and live stream info

By Charles Rahrig V

Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 7 Stanford Cardinal vs No. 24 USC Trojans

The road to the Pac-12 title wasn’t the way that many expected it to go in 2015, but at the end of the day, perhaps the two most talented teams will be battling it out for the Pac-12 Championship. The likelihood is that the winner of the game will go onto the Rose Bowl, but Stanford could still perhaps get in the College Football Playoff, if chaos reigns supreme on Saturday.

These two teams are no strangers to each other and the two programs have been trading wins back and forth in the past few years. The Cardinal got the Trojans the first time the two teams did battle this season, and now the Trojans are looking to return the favor, on a much bigger stage.

Details for Saturday’s game are below.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015
Start Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN App
Radio: 710 AM ESPN USC/Stanford Radio, click here.

Keys to Victory

Like any good football game between rivals, the game is won and lost in the trenches. Last week, USC overcame their demons against the UCLA Bruins when they dominated inside and got pressure on Josh Rosen. To beat Stanford, they’re going to have to get past a good Cardinal line and force Kevin Hogan into mistakes.

Stanford doesn’t miss many plays and USC is going to have to make an impact on special teams to win. That means Adoree’ Jackson is going to have to set the Trojans up with great field position so that Cody Kessler can deliver the ball to his talented receivers and hand off to his tremendous running back corps.

For Stanford, it’s simple. Feed the ball to Christian McCaffrey and then burn the Trojans with the deep pass. McCaffrey has run all over teams this season, and when he is on, he sets up Kevin Hogan to do big things through the air. Stanford can win this game by pounding the football.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Stanford -4
Moneyline: Stanford -180
O/U: 58

Prediction

Every time these two teams get together, it’s always a classic. This game is going to be no different as they battle for a championship. While the USC Trojans had a feel good win last week, Stanford is rolling right now and is playing their best football to date.

They will give the ball to McCaffrey to take them to the Rose Bowl, and maybe the playoff if they’re lucky. USC is a talented team, but they’re young and Stanford is a more mature team right now. It won’t be surprising to see the Trojans pull an upset, but they should be happy with their future outlook.

Stanford, meanwhile, is hoping to impress the playoff committee. They’re going to give everything they got.

Final Score: Stanford 31, USC 28

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