A clear difference exists for USC with head coach Clay Helton and his recent predecessors. Certainly, Helton deserves respect for the past two seasons. After all he produced a Rose Bowl berth and Pac 12 titles. Despite that Helton has not gained full acceptance from demanding USC fans as their leader. Once again, The Men of Troy are college football betting odds favorites to win the Pac 12 South. Yet doubters remain. Likewise, UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez is struggling to gain a foothold. But in his fourth year Sanchez will field his best team yet.
UNLV Rebels vs. USC Trojans
Date and Time: Saturday, September 1, 2018, 4 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNLV | +26 (-110) | 64 (-110) |  |
| USC | -26 (-110) | 64 (-110) | |
| |||
Rebels vs. Trojans TV Coverage: Check Listings
Tony Sanchez
Tony Sanchez has one advantage over Clay Helton. More emphatically the Las Vegas community totally accepted him as one of their own. Encompassing that acceptance was his record as one of the greatest high school coaches in that city’s history. While many believed Sanchez’s hire a reach it actually was a brilliant move. In brief nobody would understand the UNLV program better than Sanchez. Since his arrival he has moved the needle. What’s more the Rebels barely missed a bowl game last season. True, UNLV is clearly outclassed at USC but still improved.
Clay Helton
Helton’s biggest challenge with the college football betting odds is replacing quarterback Sam Darnold. Further top running back Ronald Jones II is also gone. It follows that the defense will have to pick up the slack. Indeed, a stellar front seven looks up to the task. In comparison starting quarterback was still up in the air. JT Daniels, Matt Fink, and Jack Sears were all getting reps in practice. In spite of quarterback and running back questions the offensive line looks strong. Four starters return.
UNLV Rebels
UNLV has been an exceptional sportsbook value as a road underdog recently. To be exact the Rebels have paid in seven of their last eight when getting points on the road. Four of their last six in that situation have gone under the total. And it gets even better for UNLV as dogs of 20+ points. To show they have covered seven in a role as a pup of that number. Five of those seven games also went over the total.
USC Trojans
Conversely USC has been sluggish on the board as a big home favorite. For example, Troy has paid in just three of their last 10 as a home chalk of 20 or more points. Six of their last eight in that role have also gone under the total. Overall the Men of Troy has paid in just two of their last six as favorites at Memorial Coliseum. Five of their last eight as home chalks went over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Naturally this has the look of a mismatch with the college football betting odds. However, UNLV has a proven record of getting the money in this role. As mentioned earlier USC is a perpetual overlay at home. Hence the Rebels bring likely better value in the matchup. Accordingly, the public will bet on the name brand Trojans and inflate the price.
College Football Betting Odds Picks
Summing up UNLV rates a solid value pick.
Rebels vs. Trojans Pick: UNLV Rebels
Rebels vs. Trojans Score Prediction: USC 31, UNLV 21