Two rivals will square off for the Victory Bell in a key Pac-12 matchup at the Rose Bowl between the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans.
UCLA and USC have played against each other in every season since 1937, and there is a strong argument that this is the most important matchup between the two since 1967.
USC is not only looking for its first conference championship since 2017 — a win here would secure a bid in the Pac-12 Championship — but they also hold an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff.
The Trojans are 9-1 (7-1 conference) and No. 7 in the College Football playoff, but with plenty left to shake out in front of them, they’ll have a real shot to sneak in if they can win out.
UCLA was upset last week by Arizona and this now becomes a must-win for the Bruins to have a chance to make the Pac-12 Championship.
Even with the loss, it’s still been a fantastic season for the Bruins who are 8-2 (5-2 in-conference), and will be the best season Chip Kelly has had since coming back to college football in 2018.
Continue reading for more UCLA vs USC betting odds, tips, and predictions.
UCLA vs USC Odds
The USC Trojans are 2.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 2:30PM EST. The total is set at 75 points, the highest in all of college football this week.
With these two teams so closely located, home-field advantage will likely play less of a factor for the Bruins.
UCLA vs USC Implied Totals
USC 38.75, UCLA 36.25
The oddsmakers are projecting USC to get the win in the short trip to the Rose Bowl, and they’re expecting the Trojans offense to shoulder the load and simply outscore UCLA in a game projected to wind up in the 70s.
UCLA vs USC Pick of the Day
Read more about this UCLA vs USC bet below.
UCLA vs USC Prediction
UCLA 42, USC 38
UCLA star quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson said it best leading up to this key Pac-12 matchup: “Obviously, we hate those guys across town." And you can trust the feeling is mutual for USC on the other sideline.
This will be a battle between the two quarterbacks, and as the Over/Under shows, should be an offensive slugfest.
Caleb Williams has been among the best quarterbacks in the nation, throwing for 3,010 yards and 31 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
The USC offense with Williams at the helm and masterminded by Lincoln Riley is a juggernaut, scoring 42.4 points and racking up nearly 500 yards of total offense per game.
Similarly, UCLA is scoring 39.5 points per game and averaging 504.1 yards per game, including a Pac-12-best 240.1 rushing yards per game.
Thompson-Robinson is a less refined passer, but a far more willing runner than Williams. And UCLA will lean on that rushing attack.
The Bruins hold the advantage in the run game, not only with DTR, but with fellow senior Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet leads the nation with 1,415 all-purpose yards and has found the endzone 13 times this year.
This is going to be a back and forth high-scoring affair in which the team that gets the ball last is likely to win. Even though Caleb Williams has been impressive this season, I’ll take the seasoned veteran in DTR to get it done late and secure the win for the Bruins.
UCLA vs USC Bet Tips
Consider these UCLA vs USC betting trends before placing your wagers:
- USC has won five of the last seven meetings against UCLA.
- The total has gone Under in six of the last nine matchups between these two at the Rose Bowl.
- UCLA has covered the spread in five of their last seven games.
UCLA vs USC Best Bets
UCLA Moneyline (+110) at PointsBet
WAGER: 1 Unit
Although USC won’t have to board a cross-country flight to travel the 12 miles that separate these two teams, there is still something to be said about playing at home — having your own locker room, being familiar with the turf and sight lines, and a sense of comfort.
This is going to be a great Pac-12 football game. I believe these two teams are about as evenly matched as it gets, so taking the underdog at home is the play for me.
Total Points Over 74.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook
These are two high-powered offenses and both are able to score at will against below-average defenses.
UCLA allowed 34 points last week to Arizona, and 36 the week before to Arizona State. Neither of those offenses even sniff the production or firepower of the Trojans.
Similarly, USC has had its issues on the defensive end this season, and the UCLA offense is the best USC has seen thus far.
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