This Thursday, in Week 12 of NCAA football, we have the California Golden Bears now 5-4 (3rd Pac 12 North) playing at the USC Trojans now 6-3 (2nd Pac 12 South). The game will be played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on the 13th of Nov. at 9 PM ET and on ESPN TV. The Trojans are favorites in the game at -14 ½ with the O/U at 72.
This game brings us an excellent matchup between two of California’s top college football teams, the Golden Bears and the Trojans. For the USC Trojans it has been a very mixed season, and now they begin their stretch drive against the Golden Bears who are hungry for an upset to shine on their great season thus far.
The Golden Bears at 5-4 are only one victory short of Bowl eligibility, which would be their 1st time since 2011. A Win against the USC Trojans would be their first since back in 2003. These two rival California Universities have played 101 times before Thursday’s game.
For the USC Trojans, their coach said, if we don’t score 35 points we won’t be in the game, as the Golden Bears average 41.9 points per game this season, which is 9th in the USA. Their 2nd year QB Goff has thrown 27 touchdowns on 233 of 372 attempts for 3,119 yards with a 62.6 completion rate. RBs Lasco & Muhammad combined for 150 carries for 997 yards with Lasco scoring 10 touchdowns and Muhammad scoring 4 touchdowns. Receivers Anderson & Treggs combined for 74 receptions for 971 yards with Anderson scoring 3 touchdowns and Treggs scoring 5 touchdowns.
This game could be like an Old West shootout, as the Trojans also score points averaging some 34.9 points per game with Junior QB Kessler who has completed 207 of his 297 passing attempts for 2,548 yards and 25 touchdowns. RB’s Allen & Davis combined for 282 carries for 1,511 yards with Allen scoring 8 touchdowns and Davis scoring 2 touchdowns. Receivers Agholor & Smith combined for 104 receptions for 1,364 yards with Agholor scoring 8 touchdowns and Smith scoring 5 touchdowns.
The Trojans in their losses this year were close to winning, but early in the season they were leading until the 4th quarter when they lost to Arizona State by 4 points with their back-up QB. The just 2 weeks ago the Utah Utes beat them with a TD with just 8 seconds in the game losing the game by 3 points.
With the Trojans having final games with UCLA and Notre Dame to close the season, will this young team overlook the Golden Bears as an easy to win game? If so they need to think again as they themselves have not been closers in some games this season, and to win this game against the Golden Bears they better be ready!
If the Golden Bears play their offensive game, and they keep the pressure on defensively for all 4 quarters, don’t be surprised if we see an upset in the making.
If you bet on college football at an online sportbook then for your information the Golden Bears now 5-4 next Stanford now 5-4 (2nd Pac 12 North) on the 22nd of Nov. at the Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, CA. The Trojans now 6-3 will now play at the No. 18 UCLA Bruins 8-2 (2nd Pac 12 South) also on the 22nd of Nov. at the Rose Bowl.