Pac-12 Football Picks: Predictions against the spread for Week 1

Jul 31, 2015; Burbank, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian at Pac-12 Media Day at Warner Bros. Studios. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas State Red Wolves At USC Trojans

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles California

The Line: USC – 27

Not much respect for the Trojans from Las Vegas oddsmakers, huh? Only 27 points for a program like Arkansas State playing on the road against a nationally ranked power conference team like USC? This is odd, to say the least, and it is an early sign that some of the people who live and breathe sports might not be as high on the Trojans as some of the more nationally known pundits.

The Red Wolves of Arkansas State did go 7-5 last season, and they were somewhat competitive in their two games against power five teams, in a 34-19 loss to Tennessee and a 41-20 defeat at Miami(Fl). So perhaps this line is more about the program at Arkansas State and less about the Trojans. If you want to find out, live, you can see the game on Pac-12 Network at 7:00PM, Pacific time Saturday night.

Keys To The Game:

This should be nothing more than a glorified practice for Cody Kessler and head coach Steve Sarkisian. Unless an absolute meltdown occurs from USC, this contest will be over by half time. USC needs to concentrate and being efficient and not getting any of their starters injured. The end of NCAA sanctions have helped with the depth of talent in Los Angeles, but this is still a somewhat top-heavy team. I would expect the back-ups to play a majority of the game.

The Prediction:

The talent gap is too big here to expect much from the Red Wolves. A tight first quarter will give way to an offensive onslaught in the second on the way to a big Trojan victory. 27 points will not be nearly enough for anyone betting on Arkansas State, as USC cruises to a 55-7 win.

Next: Eastern Washington At Oregon