Thursday Night ESPN College Football USC @ California Odds, Free Picks and Predictions – Week 7 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 7 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: USC Trojans @ California Golden Bears 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ESPN 10/13/11: After being destroyed by the Oregon Ducks last Thursday night, the California Golden Bears (2-3) will get a chance to redeem themselves this Thursday when the USC Trojans (4-1) come to town. The Golden Bears have yet to win a conference game, while the Trojans are sitting 2-1 in the Pac-12. USC has more talent at the skill position, but the Trojans have shown repeated mental lapses on both sides of the ball and have been known to play down to the competition. As a result, the Golden Bears are only three-point underdogs in this one.

The biggest disparity between the two teams probably comes at the quarterback position. The Trojans boast junior signal caller Matt Barkley, who has excelled in his third year as a starter. Among his accomplishments this year is a 468-yard, five-touchdown performance in a win against Arizona. He has 14 touchdowns to just four interceptions overall and is completing more than 70 percent of his passes. With numbers like those, it is easy to understand why he is one of the top pro prospects in the country at the QB position.

Meanwhile, the Golden Bears have been playing Zach Maynard under center. Maynard brings a scrambling ability that Barkley lacks, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the arm strength or control over an offense. The Trojans secondary has been suspect this year and was gashed for during a 48-41 shootout win against Arizona. However, Maynard and the California offense may not be able to take advantage of the Trojans’ biggest weakness.

Defensively, the key for California will be shutting down USC receiver Robert Woods. He has 55 catches through five games and leads the nation at 149.4 receiving yards per game. Woods has torched every coverage that has been thrown at him, and while the Golden Bears have been stout at defending the run, the same cannot be said for stopping the pass. Barkley and Woods should have ample opportunities to make big plays, and the USC passing game should have a big night overall.

While the Trojans have the edge in terms of skill position players, California may have the better running game. The Golden Bears have a strong offensive line, and running back Isi Sofele has more than enough speed to take any carry to the end zone. However, California has had a habit of falling behind in games, forcing the Golden Bears to abandon the strength of their offense as they try to catch up. Last weekend’s loss to Oregon was a perfect example. California was winning 15-14 and controlling the game on the ground. Once the Ducks jumped on top, Maynard began throwing the ball more and more, and the game quickly got out of hand. It isn’t out of the question for an identical scenario to unfold this weekend.

After all, the Trojans destroyed California last season by a score of 48-14, and Barkley passed for five touchdowns. Not make has changed in terms of personnel on either side since that game, and if anything, Barkley and the USC offense has improved. Even with the Trojans’ tendency to come out flat at times, the gap in talent and athleticism should more than make up for any lapse in focus by the Trojans. Barring an absolute meltdown, Barkley and company should cover the spread and hand the Golden Bears their second straight Thursday night loss.

Prediction: USC Trojans (-3) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: USC -3 to cover the spread

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