Saturday, Sept. 13
3:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Pacific
CBS
The USC Trojans go to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on Purdue in the Big Ten opener for both teams. USC’s problems with Big Ten road trips last season are well-documented. The Trojans lost at Maryland, Michigan, and Minnesota. Going to the Midwest or Mid-Atlantic regions of the country did not go smoothly for Lincoln Riley. This is why the trip to Purdue carries a certain amount of intrigue, even though the Trojans are such a huge favorite. USC has to show it can play a complete game and not get roped into a tense fourth-quarter drama against a Big Ten opponent it should be able to defeat quite easily.
USC versus Purdue is stuffed with interesting storylines
Purdue coach faces former QB while USC faces former offensive line coach
There are a lot of interesting storylines in this game. Purdue coach Barry Odom coached USC quarterback Jayden Maiava when the latter was at UNLV. Maiava later transferred to USC.
Another big storyline is that Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson was USC’s offensive line coach last season. USC knows Henson, and Henson knows USC. How will that reality shape the game plans and adjustments in this contest?
Another item of note is that Lincoln Riley has said USC has adjusted its travel plan for the Purdue game and other road trips this season. USC is using a bigger plane with more leg room for players when it flies to Indiana. Riley has also said that mealtimes and sleep schedules will be adjusted in the attempt to get his players more rest and preparation for game day. USC has to figure out the Big Ten travel setup if the Trojans are going to go anywhere this season.
USC Trojans-Purdue Boilermakers Odds
Hear TJ Rives and Jason Powers break down this game on the 3Dog Thursday Podcast by clicking Play below:
Spread: USC -20.5 (-110), Purdue +20.5 (-110)
Total: 58.5 (Over -115, Under -105)
Underdog moneyline: Purdue +900
The spread is an eye-popper. USC is the better team, but is it three touchdowns better on the road early in the season? If this was an October game, USC would have had a lot more cohesion and familiarity on offense, ironing out some rough edges and having a more defined idea of what it wants to do. Playing this game so early in the season, after two cupcake games, makes life harder for the USC offense. Purdue will be energized and highly motivated in this game. The Boilermakers have played well on defense and have been looking forward to this game throughout the offseason.
Barry Odom has already won two games with this team, exceeding last year’s win total of one game. Purdue might not be a good team, but it is no longer a weakling or cream puff. The Boilermakers aren’t going to win this game, but they can certainly put up enough of a fight to lose by no more than 20 points. Purdue +20.5 is one of the more solid spread plays a bettor can make this weekend. USC has to prove it can dominate and blow out Big Ten opponents on the road. Until then, taking USC’s opponent makes the most sense.