Oregon stymies USC at home while Bo Nix makes Heisman statement

Tony Reyes
By , Updated on: Apr 9, 2024 08:00 PM
Oregon stymies USC at home while Bo Nix makes Heisman statement
  • What:  USC vs #6 Oregon
  • When: Saturday, November 11th, 10:30 PM ET
  • Where: Autzen Stadium - Eugene, OR

It's always a captivating spectacle when elite programs like No. 6 Oregon and USC collide. The late-night kickoff on Saturday adds extra excitement, bringing College Football Playoff and Pac-12 Championship Game implications.

There will be no shortage of Online college football betting as the college football season enters its crucial stage, and every game becomes a high-stakes chess match. 

Game Preview (Spread)

BetOnlineBovadaBetUS
USC +15.5-110-105-110
Oregon -15.5-110-115-110

The game also carries the intrigue of a staff shake-up for the Trojans, who have faced challenges with three losses in their last four games.

Following last week's 52-42 home loss to Washington, Lincoln Riley made a significant move by firing defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

In the aftermath, Shaun Nua and Brian Odom have been appointed interim co-coordinators, facing their initial challenge against one of the nation's top offenses.

In their recent dominant performance against Cal, Oregon scored 63 points and amassed nearly 600 yards of offense, maintaining an 8-1 overall record and securing the No. 6 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The Ducks' path to the playoff likely hinges on winning the Pac-12 title. There's minimal room for error with five teams within two games of the top spot.

USC remains in contention, and a victory could propel them ahead of the Ducks in the standings.

Oregon -15.5 Points USC vs. Oregon
-110
BetUS

As Lincoln Riley emphasized, the Trojans still have significant goals, and winning a Pac-12 Championship remains a viable objective in 2023.

In the spotlight of a Heisman showdown against the reigning Heisman winner, Bo Nix is making waves in the Heisman Trophy conversation. This season,

His quarterback profile is among the best, marked by a remarkable 78.1% completion rate, poised to break the NCAA record set by Alabama's Mac Jones (77.4%).

Nix also ranks fourth in passer rating (180.14) and passing touchdowns (25). Notably, he stands as the sole FBS quarterback with at least 25 passing touchdowns and two or fewer interceptions.

Additionally, Nix holds the NCAA record for career quarterback starts with 56 heading into Saturday's game.

A head-to-head victory against reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams would add another impressive accomplishment to Nix's growing résumé.

Caleb Williams continues to shine, leading the nation in passing touchdowns (28), ranking second in passing yards (2,958), sixth in passer rating (175.0), and ninth in yards per attempt (9.48).

Williams remains a formidable force, tied for first in the Pac-12 with 10 rushing touchdowns.

USC +15.5 Points USC vs. Oregon
-110
BetUS

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Total Points

BetOnlineBovadaBetUS
Over 75 Points-112-110-120
Under 75 Points-108-110+100

The decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Alex Grinch comes after a challenging six-game stretch where the Trojans went 3-3, conceding an average of 44.2 points per game.

With College Football Playoff hopes extinguished, Lincoln Riley opted for a midseason change to salvage USC's Pac-12 title aspirations.

The interim co-coordinators, Brian and Shaun Nua, bring experience to their roles. Brian, the inside linebackers coach, previously worked at Missouri before joining Riley and Grinch's staff at Oklahoma, following them to USC in 2022.

Shaun Nua, the defensive line coach, joined Riley's staff last season after three years at Michigan. Riley mentioned a "50-50" split in coordinator responsibilities, but the play-calling duties remain undisclosed.

As USC addresses fundamental issues like open-field tackling, the incremental steps taken on defense could yield improved results on the scoreboard, especially with the high-powered Ducks on the horizon.

The critical factor in this matchup revolves around the number of possessions and the Trojans' capacity to keep pace. Both teams have faced Washington, making it highly likely that Oregon and USC will each have 11 offensive possessions.

A significant disparity emerges in the Defensive Quality Drives metric, with Oregon ranking 16th defensively in drives covering 25 yards or less. In stark contrast, the Trojans find themselves at 113th in this aspect.

Throughout the season, Oregon has conceded only 26 red-zone attempts, marking the 18th-lowest touchdown rate allowed.

Anticipate the Oregon defense to curtail scoring opportunities for USC, propelling the Ducks one step closer to the College Football Playoff.

Under 75 Points USC vs. Oregon
+100
BetUS

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Meet the author

Tony Reyes

With years of experience as an analyst, Tony brings an expert voice to picks and predictions. His love of sports betting comes through in coverage that informs and entertains in equal measure. You can find Tony shooting hoops or cycling the local trails when not watchin...

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