2017 PAC 12 Championship Game Odds and Prediction – Stanford vs USC Free Pick

2017 PAC 12 Championship Game Odds and Prediction – Stanford vs USC Free Pick: While most of the Power 5 conference title game will be de facto play-in games for the College Football Playoff, the Pac-12 Championship Game will be a different story. The No. 12 Stanford Cardinal (9-3) will take on the No. 10 USC Trojans (10-2) with a winner earning a spot in one of the prestigious New Year’s Six bowl games. The game is a rematch of an earlier meeting, which USC won 42-24 at home. The Trojans are favored to win again at Bovada Sportsbook, but they are only three-point favorites in Friday’s showdown. You can bet on this game by opening up a sports betting account at Bovada. You will receive a 50% bonus upto $250 FREE on your 1st deposit.

Stanford has been a tough team to predict this year. In addition to their ugly loss to USC, the Cardinal lost to San Diego State and barely squeaked by an awful Oregon State team. On the flip side, Stanford knocked off a strong Washington team and completely dismantled the same Notre Dame team that crushed the Trojans. Running back Bryce Love is the heart and soul of the offense, but the explosive back has been bothered by a nagging ankle injury for the last several weeks. The Cardinal have run hot and cold defensively, as well, but they have been pretty stout down the stretch.

The Trojans started the year among the national title favorites, and quarterback Sam Darnold was the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. That quickly changed on both accounts with a road loss to Washington State and an embarrassing loss to Notre Dame. Darnold has turned the ball over more than expected this year, and while the offense is still loaded with explosive weapons, USC has had trouble living up to its talent level on both sides of the ball.

2017 PAC 12 Championship Game Odds and Prediction – Stanford vs USC Free Pick

The Cardinal Win If:

If Stanford is going to prevent history from repeating itself, the Cardinal have to limit USC’s big plays. Not only did Darnold carve them up the first time around, but the Trojans also had two players rush for more than 100 yards. Stanford isn’t going to win a shootout with Darnold and company, so the Cardinal can’t afford to let USC move the ball up and down the field at will. Offensively, Stanford needs Love’s ankle to hold up, and the Cardinal need to control the line of scrimmage and the pace of the game. USC has the edge in speed and athleticism, but if Stanford establishes a physical style early, the Trojans could wear down late in the game.

The Trojans Win If:

While it’s easier said than done, the Trojans really just need to repeat their performance from the first time around, and Stanford isn’t going to have an answer. A quick start offensively from USC will prevent Stanford from turning the game into a smash-mouth affair, and it will eventually force the Cardinal to try to match Darnold and company point for point in a fast-pace shootout. The Trojans are going to win that style of game almost every time, and they should certainly win it against a Stanford team built to punish and wear down teams. Last but not least, Darnold has to avoid sloppy turnovers. The Trojans don’t want to give away chances to put points on the board while also giving Stanford more time to control the pace.

Bottom Line:

This matchup is a clash of styles at its best, and the first time around, it was the speed and explosiveness of USC reigning supreme. Stanford has improved a lot since then, and few teams will beat you up as consistently as the Cardinal. Unfortunately for Stanford, the Trojans still have one of the best quarterbacks in the country leading their offense, and the Cardinal’s potential equalizer, Love, is not going to be 100 percent. I expect Love to give another gritty performance, but in the end, I think USC’s superior offensive firepower will rule the day once again.

Prediction: USC Trojans (-3) Cover the Spread

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