USC-Oregon St., Stanford-Washington, and More Highlight Vegas Pac 12 Predictions for Week 5

Saturday Blitz Vegas Pac 12 Predictions Week 5

Oregon State Beavers at No. 18 USC Trojans

Line: USC by 9

Here is a match-up between two teams trying to prove they’re among the Pac-12 elite, with one trying to offset an already bad loss and another trying to surpass offseason expectations. The Beavers have not looked great so far this year, but they’re 3-0, and they’ve won through great offense and great defense at different times. Oregon State is going to want to beat USC in the exact opposite way that Boston College beat them: by throwing the football. Sean Mannion will look to throw the ball all over the field against USC, but there needs to be more of a balanced attack because the Trojans proved against Stanford that if you pass too much, they can force you into making mistakes. Mannion is good but the running game has to be established, and the defense is going to have to do what it’s been doing except this time against a great offense.

USC, meanwhile, also needs to stick to its passing offense as opposed to a balanced offense. Cody Kessler has been incredibly efficient this year, completing 71 percent of his passes and throwing 8 touchdowns to 0 interceptions, but he hasn’t yet proven himself against a good defense. Stanford simply imploded to give the Trojans the win. The Beavers also have a good defense that could give Kessler trouble, so he just has to continue his trend of playing efficient. The defense, meanwhile, needs to step up. Fortunately, the pass defense will be the key to winning the game, and this time they won’t be facing a dominant rushing attack. If the defense can force Mannion into making a few mistakes and keep him from driving on them at will, this should be a win for the Trojans at home, getting them back on track.

Prediction

The Trojans will put up enough points to win the game, and the defense will frustrate Oregon State and Mannion the way it did Stanford and Hogan two weeks ago. When you have to throw to win, USC can force mistakes, and that’s exactly what they’ll do in this game on Saturday.

USC: 27 Oregon State: 14