Who Wins Michigan State vs. Oregon? What About USC vs. Stanford? Here are our Vegas Pac 12 Predictions for Week 2.
Vegas Pac 12 Predictions
No. 14 USC at No. 13 Stanford
Line: Stanford by 3
This is one of the most exciting games of the weekend as well and could turn out to be a better game than Oregon-Michigan State. The Steve Sarkisian ere kicked off on a very good note Saturday with a blowout win against Fresno State. True, the Bulldogs have their own issues, but for the Trojans, 394 yards and 4 touchdowns by Cody Kessler along with 133 yards rushing and a touchdown by Javorius Allen was great to see. Add in a defense that caused 4 interceptions, and this was a complete game. USC will be looking to show it is still THE elite Pac 12 team with an upset win against Stanford Saturday.
The Cardinal, meanwhile, looked good themselves, albeit against UC Davis, with a 45-0 win. Kevin Hogan won the game in typical Stanford fashion with 3 touchdowns and only 204 yards but a very efficient 12 of 16. Throwing 1 interception was not good, though. Still, this was a complete game as well, with the defense also pitching a shut out and a lot of players seeing action. David Shaw and the Cardinal continue to always be slept on in Pac 12 play, and they’ll be looking to remind the world who has won the last two Pac 12 championships. The game will come down to coaching and quarterback play.
Prediction
USC is very close to returning to USC, but Stanford is already there. Hogan may not put up the numbers, but he’s still more efficient than Kessler, and he’ll be able to keep the USC offense off the field with long drives. Shaw and Sarkisian will match each other in smarts, but Hogan and that Stanford defense will be the difference as the Cardinal win a thriller.
Stanford: 24 USC: 21