College Football Picks and Odds - USC Trojans at Oregon Ducks

The biggest game of the college football betting weekend takes place in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday night as the 10th ranked Oregon Ducks host the 4th ranked USC Trojans. This game that will probably decide the Pac-10 title can be seen on ABC television. The Trojans are 3-point road favorites in football odds at online sportsbooks but the Ducks have been popular in college football picks since the line has dropped from 3.5 to 3. USC has won the Pac-10 title for seven straight years but to keep that streak alive they must win at Oregon.

The Ducks lead the conference and could all but put away the Pac-10 with a win against USC. Oregon started the season poorly as they lost to Boise State but since that time they have won six straight, many convincingly and that has made them popular in college football picks. The key for USC on Saturday will be improving their defense. They gave up 482 yards in total offense to Oregon State. The previous game they gave up 367 yards to Notre Dame. The Trojans were able to win both of those games but they may not be able to hold off Oregon if their defense does not improve. Bet on USC -3 as the week 9 college football pick favorite when they go for their fifth straight win on the season.

The Ducks are led by quarterback Jeremiah Masoli who is leading an Oregon offense that is averaging 45.7 points and 484.7 yards in the last three games. Running back LaMichael James has 657 yards and six touchdowns in his last five games. "He's got great vision and toughness," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "He's a hard player to knock down because of his size. He's pretty solid and I think he's just gotten better each week and it will be exciting to see him match up with this team that USC has on defense." Bet on Oregon +3 in week 9 college football picks at sportsbooks.

Oregon is also playing solid defense lately as they have held three of their last four opponents to 211 yards or fewer. USC will need a big game out of freshman quarterback Matt Barkley who has thrown for 1,540 yards with seven TDs and five interceptions this season. USC has won four of their last five games against Oregon but the Trojans are a poor road favorite though. The Trojans are 1-6 ATS in college football odds for their last 7 games as a road favorite. Oregon at home is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. Making college football picks on Oregon in this series is risky though since the Trojans are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.

Bower's College Football Picks: You know I love a home dog in college football odds and USC is 1-6 against the spread so my week 9 college football pick is to take the Ducks plus the points at home to the OVER in a close call parlay. Vegas odds at Caesars sportsbook have the USC Trojans -3 favorites in week 9 college football odds against the Oregon Ducks with a betting total of 48.5.