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 USC vs. Minnesota, odds, props, predictions

The No. 11 USC Trojans travel to face Minnesota in a Big Ten matchup on Saturday night.

It still feels strange to say that, but the Big Ten Network does indeed have live coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. With the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington this year, the Big Ten now consists of 18 teams.

USC, which is coming off a 38-21 win over Wisconsin, has lost only to Michigan on the season. Minnesota, which is offensively challenged, did rally to cover as a 10.5-point underdog against Michigan in a 27-24 loss last week.  

Let's get to USC vs. Minnesota odds, prop bets and predictions, with the Trojans a solid road favorite at top-rated sportsbooks.

Betting the board: NCAAF Week 6 odds, betting lines & expert picks

No. 11 USC vs. Minnesota odds: Spread, moneyline, total for Week 6 CFB matchup

USC opened as a 9.5-point favorite, but the line moved toward Minnesota in early CFB Week 6 betting action. 

Check out live odds on USC vs. Minnesota on highly-rated sports betting apps:   

Also check: Best sports betting promos and bonuses 

USC betting news and analysis

USC (3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS) is getting solid play from QB Miller Moss, who replaced No. 1 NFL Draft pick Caleb Williams.

Moss completed 30 of 45 passes for 300+ passing yards and three TDs in the double-digit win against Wisconsin. He added a score on the ground, as well.

Moss, who ranks No. 6 nationally with 26.5 completions per game, completed passes to nine different receivers last week. WR Ja'Kobi Lane recorded a career-high 10 catches for 105 yards and two TDs.

Expect USC to give Minnesota a steady dose of RB Woody Marks on Saturday night. Marks has a pair of 100-yard rushing games on the year and three TDs. If the Trojans can establish the run, it'll help open things up downfield against the nation's best passing defense.   

USC also defends the pass well, and Minnesota's passing attack struggles under former FCS quarterback Max Brosmer.

Minnesota betting news and analysis

Minnesota (2-3 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) climbed back from a 21-0 deficit against Michigan and lost by the same score as USC, 27-24. 

Brosmer, the FCS leading passer at New Hampshire last year, has thrown for 1,064 yards with just six TDs and four interceptions this season.

Minnesota relies heavily on RBs Darius Taylor (48 carries, 258 rushing yards and 5 TDs) and Marcus Major (42 carries, 177 rushing yards and 2 TDs).

While the offense can be tough to watch, the Golden Gophers excel on defense. Minnesota ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing yards allowed (96.8) and No. 2 in the nation in passing efficiency defense (81.2). They also lead the Big Ten with eight interceptions.  

LB Maverick Baranowski is also a force in the middle of the Minnesota defense with a team-high 36 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He's a lynchpin on a Minnesota unit that ranks No. 5 in total defense (226.8 yards per game).

Can Minnesota's defense help it hang here against a solid USC offense? They Gophers have to contain Miller, who averages nearly 300 passing yards in Big Ten play. He's thrown for six TDs and two picks in two conference games so far. 

USC vs. Minnesota ATTD player prop bets at DraftKings

Check out a sampling of ATTD scorer prop bets for USC vs. Minnesota with odds at DraftKings:

  • USC Woody Marks -285
  • MINN Darius Taylor -135
  • USC Ja'Kobi Lane +130
  • USC Kyron Hudson +155
  • USC Zachariah Branch +150

Taylor has five rushing TDs on the year, and he found the end zone twice against a tough Michigan defense last week. You'll have to pay a little juice, but he's our top play in this betting market.

USC vs. Minnesota prediction: Trojans cover ATS despite tough Golden Gophers defense

Minnesota's defense will keep it in the game during the first half. USC will find some separation in the second half. Our winning score prediction of 31-17 sees the Trojans cover this number.  

Pick: USC -8

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Author(s)
Kris Johnson Photo

Kris Johnson serves as lead writer. With more than 15 years in sports journalism, his work has been featured in Sports Business Journal, Sports Business Daily, The Sporting News, NASCAR Illustrated, and more. Johnson, who also wrote a sports betting novel entitled The Endgame, graduated from Middlebury College.