USC at Stanford
Time: 7:30 PM CT
Spread: STAN -6
Total: 55.5

The Stanford Cardinal began its 2018 season well, defeating San Diego State University 31-10 in Week 1. Week 2 brings rival USC to the house, as hosting Stanford is 6-point favorites in the affair which will air at 7:30 (CT) on FOX. The over/under is set at 55.5 points according to NCAA football oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.

Stanford

The No. 10 ranked Cardinal dismantled SDSU with a strong game from QB KJ Costello. He threw 21 of 31 for 332 yards and four TDs, though he did throw a pick in the game. His star target for the passes was JJ Arcega-Whiteside, who hauled in six catches for 226 yards and three TDs, including an 80-yard catch. The rest of the receiving corp managed another 106 yards, but it was Arcega-Whiteside who was doing the majority of the damage. Stanford barely resorted to the ground, rushing just 50 yards in the game on 28 attempts (1.8 yards per carry) which should highlight a slight area of concern moving forward.

Bryce Love managed just 18 yards on 29 carries, which is paltry and a poor excuse for No. 1 back’s production. Stanford is typically a pass-heavy team, but it will need to mix it up with much more effective running plays this week against USC. USC is not a strong defensive team typically, though, so this offers a chance for Stanford to test some new strategies in hopes of anchoring a more diversified offense that will only serve it well, especially against non-conference opponents in 2018.

USC

USC defeated UNLV 43-21 in Week 1, and the Trojans are ranked No. 17 in the nation at this point. JT Daniels threw 22 of 35 for 282 yards and a TD, while Aca’Cedric Ware rushed for 100 yards on a 10 carry outing with a TD. The Trojans rushed for 219 yards on 33 carries (5.8 per) while scoring three TDs via the rush. Even so, the pass offense did its job and the rush simply offset it perfectly against a UNLV defense that was mostly left scrambling.

Most encouraging, USC’s secondary did a stellar job in limiting the pass options of UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, who threw just 12 of 27 for 97 meager yards. The rush defense was far less effective for USC, though, as it surrendered 308 yards to UNLV, including a 136-yard game from Running Rebel back Lexington Thomas.

With a much stronger Stanford team, the Trojans are going to have to get a better performance from its tackling defenders, or this game could easily get out of hand. Stanford is already double-digit favorites, but ignoring USC’s weak rush defense could lead to a bettor’s peril. Stanford is going to have to increase its pressure on the backfield and QBs this week, or this game easily could turn into a blowout in favor of the Cardinal.

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