USC vs. Arizona State Prediction and Odds (Trojans to Take Two in a Row from the Sun Devils)

The No. 19 USC Trojans are on the road tonight at Arizona State on the hunt for back-to-back wins after getting beat by Stanford last week. It was their third loss of the season, but their second to the Cardinal. Now 8-3 in conference play, USC is third in the Pac-12 and firmly in the hunt for a run at the title.

The Arizona State Sun Devils are not having as much success in or out of the conference this year. They are coming off a predictable loss over No. 3 Arizona but were able to cover the 21.5 point spread after losing by “just” 11. It was just their second ATS win since the end of December. 

USC is coming off a win over Cal but they failed to cover for the second straight game. I am not sold on this being an easy win for them as six-point favorites and am tempted by AZ State on the ML. Tempted but unsure. Below is my pick and the odds for this Pac-12 showdown, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

USC vs. Arizona State Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• USC -6 (-110)
• Arizona State +6 (-110)

Moneyline:

• USC -240
• Arizona State +185

Total: 135 (Over -110/Under -110)

USC vs. Arizona State Prediction and Pick

As much as I want to fade USC here, I don’t think that Arizona State is the right team to do it against. For starters, the Sun Devils are 1-6 straight up in their last seven games and 2-4 ATS in their last six. They are 3-4-1 ATS in conference action this year and 2-5-1 ATS at home. While they have a fairly decent defense that ranks 152nd in the nation, their offense is laughable at 326th. Arizona State scored just 56 points in each of its previous two losses and have been held under 60 in four of its last six games. I should probably mention that one of those 56 point performances came against USC last Tuesday. USC won that game by 22 points and covered the 12 point spread with ease. 

So why the heck is the spread just six points here? 

Well, for starters, ASU was without a few key players in their first meeting. Bobby Hurley and Jay Heath were suspended while Kimani Lawrence was out with an injury. All three are expected to return tonight. 

Despite the Sun Devils getting back to full strength, I don’t think it will be enough to cover against USC. Let alone win outright. The Trojans are one of the best rebounding teams in the nation and also the most stifling defense in the Pac-12. Opponents are shooting just 40.6 percent from two point range and 37.7 percent overall. Both marks put USC in the top 10 in the nation. 

I don’t see the Sun Devils getting a revenge win over USC here. I expect another Trojans cover tonight. 

Lean: USC -6 (-110)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE