The Rutgers Scarlet Knights and USC Trojans are preparing for their first-ever showdown, promising an intriguing battle. Both teams enter the game on three-game losing streaks, each with just one conference win under their belt.
Check out our Rutgers vs. USC prediction for the latest betting odds, a detailed spread analysis, and our top pick as we break down this brand-new Friday night Big Ten clash.
Rutgers vs. USC Betting Preview
All Rutgers vs. USC odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
USC -6 - Spread
USC -14 - Moneyline
USC -575, Rutgers +425 - Over/Under
56.5 points - Game Time
11:00 p.m. ET, Friday, Oct. 25 - Location
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, Calif. - Predicted Weather at Kick
63 degrees, 2 mph winds, partly cloudy - How To Watch
Fox
Despite the recent struggles from both teams, the over remains a popular choice for this matchup. It’s hit in six of Rutgers’ last nine games and in 10 of USC’s last 13 home games.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
Moneyline bettors face two challenging straight-up picks this week, with the Scarlet Knights going 2-9 in their last 11 road games and 1-7 in their last eight against Big Ten opponents.
The Trojans haven’t been much better, with a 1-6 record in conference play since last season. When it comes to covering the spread, USC has also had a tough time in October, holding a 1-7 ATS record in their last eight games during the month.
Rutgers’ Winning Probability
If the spread didn’t already say it, the Knights aren’t expected to leave Southern California with a win. The FPM gives them just a 33.6% chance of pulling off the upset. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Scarlet and Gray, as that’s their lowest win probability over their final five games.
- vs. Minnesota: 50.4%
- at Maryland: 49.6%
- vs. Illinois: 35.4%
- at Michigan State: 48.8%
USC’s Winning Probability
The FPM projects the Trojans to snap their losing streak, giving them a 66.4% chance to win in Week 9. With win probabilities above 50% in three of their final four games, USC still has a path to matching last year’s 7-5 regular-season record, though it would likely be seen as a disappointment.
- at Washington: 50.6%
- vs. Nebraska: 53.8%
- at UCLA: 75.1%
- vs. Notre Dame: 34.9%
Prediction for Rutgers vs. USC
Lincoln Riley’s tenure at USC began with a flourish, leading the Trojans to an impressive 11-1 record, powered by a dynamic offense. That early success, anchored by Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, has since tapered off, with USC going 11-11 in their last 22 games.
After making a statement with a Week 1 win over LSU, Riley’s team has struggled, losing four of their last five contests—though those defeats came by a combined margin of just 11 points. The road has been particularly tough, with losses at Michigan, Minnesota, and Maryland, even after entering those matchups as favorites.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
On the other side, the Scarlet Knights enjoyed one of their strongest starts in program history, winning their first four games. However, a challenging stretch followed, with consecutive losses to Nebraska, Wisconsin, and UCLA.
Despite a solid rushing attack led by RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers lacks the offensive firepower to pull off an upset against USC. However, they should be able to keep it close in this cross-country showdown, stretching from Piscataway, N.J., to Los Angeles.
Back USC for the win, Rutgers to cover, and the under to hit in this fresh Big Ten clash.
Prediction: USC 27, Rutgers 20
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