USC/Virginia Odds, Lines & Predictions
August 29, 2008
Get Info Plays’ USC/Virginia college football predictions this weekend to kick off week 1 betting. First, you will have to understand what both the Trojans and Cavaliers are working with before you make your wagers. USC point spread always indicate the Trojans as the heavy favorite, and this Saturday is no different. If you are looking to lay the points on USC, then your BEST ODDS right now are at BetUS Sportsbooks where the Trojans are 19-point favorites!
You may want to see what the Cavaliers have to work with first. Virginia is coming off their first nine-win season since 2002. The Cavaliers made it all the way up to No. 21 in the nation before losing to Texas Tech on the Gator Bowl, which in turn knocked them out of the Top-25 polls. Virginia enters this season unranked with only 10 starters returning, their fewest number since 1986.
Al Groh likes the competition he’s getting from his players in practice with so many new faces taking the field. Groh acknowledges his team is the underdog, but Pete Carroll is not about to take them for granted. Carroll said his team won’t be holding anything back, and he’s not about to rest players. QB Nick Sanchez is expected to start for the Trojans despite missing most of fall practice with a dislocated knee cap. He took the field for the first time since August 8th earlier this week, and might just be playing through some pain which could be a big factor in this contest.
Sanchez has a lot on his shoulders, considering USC set an NCAA record with a sixth straight 11-win season last year. Though in a familiar position on near the top of the polls, this Trojans team will look a bit different in 2008 with only four returning starters on offense. USC has to replace 10 players that were drafted to the NFL, but that’s no surprise considering Carroll is the best recruiter in the country. He’s seen plenty of new faces en route to a 70-8 record and two national titles in six years at USC.
For once, the strength of this team might just be their defense. They are loaded with talent, led by linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, the MVP’s of the previous two Rose Bowls. Ken Norton Jr. now has the best linebacking corps he’s ever had.
The Cavaliers wanted a challenge in their non-conference scheduling, and boy did they get it. The Trojans will bring everything they have at Virginia to see what kind of team the Cavaliers really are coming off their 9-4 season last year. A couple players to watch in this game for Virginia are TE John Phillips, OLB Clint Sintim and LT Eugene Monroe. Phillips is the Cavaliers’ best receiving threat, but he might be asked to stay in more than he’d like and pass protect against one of the best front sevens in the nation.
Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald are gone, leaving Clint Sintim as the team’s best pass-rushing threat. Sintim led all linebackers in the nation with nine sacks a year ago, and he’ll be asked to get pressure on Nick Sanchez Saturday. If he and the rest of the Cavaliers fail to do so, Sanchez has an NFL-type arm and will pick Virginia’s secondary apart. Eugene Monroe is a guy that Virginia can count on at left tackle. He didn’t allow a single sack his junior year, and with three new offensive linemen aboard this season, it will be Monroe’s job to set the example early. It will be comforting for Virginia’s quarterback to know he doesn’t have to worry about his blind side Saturday.
Feel the Cavaliers have enough returning talent to keep this game close? Go with your opinion and Wager on Virginia as +19.5 underdogs at Sportsbook.com here!
Odds makers at BetUS predict the final score of this game here:
USC 31
Virginia 12
Get Info Plays Week 1 College Football Picks here and FATTEN YOUR POCKETS this weekend!