NCAAF Week 14: Washington State vs. USC odds, preview, and pick

A rare Sunday night (9:00 p.m. ET, FS1) Pac-12 showdown is in store at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the Washington State Cougars (1-1) visit the No. 18 USC Trojans (3-0). The game was originally scheduled for Friday night, but was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Assuming the game takes place as scheduled, USC is likely to be a prohibitive favorite. Is Washington State the wise wager as the underdog? Here’s our betting preview.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on both programs

After fitting in their first three games without incident, USC was forced to cancel their tilt with the Colorado Buffaloes last Saturday due to a lack of available scholarship players.

Washington State has missed each of their last two games due to a COVID-19 outbreak on their team.

USC’s stoppers seem far superior

The Trojans’ defense is a respectable 41st in the nation in points allowed per game (24.7) this year. They rank 80th in yards allowed per play (5.9).

The Cougars have been far worse on this side of the ball in 2020, ranking 109th in the country in points allowed per game (35.5) and 126th in yards allowed per play (7.1).

Awesome aerial attacks

Both Washington State and USC prefer to move the ball through the air on offense, and do so very effectively.

Cougars freshman quarterback Jayden de Laura has gotten off to a fast start in 2020, throwing for 548 yards and four touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Renard Bell and junior Travell Harris are tied for the team lead in receptions with 16 apiece.

Sophomore signal caller Kedon Slovis has been sharp for the Trojans through three games, completing 70.7% of his passes for 7.3 yards per attempt with a 5:2 touchdown-interception ratio. Junior wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leads USC with 19 receptions for 266 yards.

Trends suggest there’s value with Washington State

Oddsmakers seem to be giving USC too much credit, considering the program has already failed to cover on two occasions as double-digit favorites this season. The Trojans have also dropped six straight December games against the spread. Additionally, they’re 7-17-1 against the spread in their last 25 games following a straight-up victory.

Washington State is 22-7-1 against the spread in its last 30 games as an underdog of 10 or more points. The Cougars have covered in 11 of their last 15 games following a double-digit loss at home.

Score prediction: USC 38, Washington State 31

NCAAF pick: Washington State spread

Wager on all NCAAF Week 14 action at BetAmerica!