USC vs Stanford Odds: Trojans Open As Underdogs, Line Expands

USC vs Stanford odds opened with the Cardinal favored by just under a touchdown, but bettors have moved the line up above eight points.

Oddsmakers set the USC vs Stanford line at 6.5 points to start the week, but concerns about the Trojans’ performances both this season and last have seen the line rise to 8.5 in the first day of betting, per VegasInsider.com’s consensus line.

The last time the Cardinal and the Trojans met, in last season’s Pac-12 Championship Game, David Shaw’s squad won the game by 19 points. Earlier that year, Stanford emerged victorious at the Coliseum by ten points after entering as a ten-point underdog.

With that in mind, it’s not hard to guess why bettors have moved the line two points since it opened.

Though Stanford had some trouble putting Kansas State away in their season opener, the Cardinal enter the week ranked No. 7 by the AP and their Week 2 bye means Shaw and company will have had an extra week to prepare for the Trojans.

LISTEN: USC vs. Stanford Preview

USC made the most of their Week 2 match up with Utah State, restoring some confidence around the program with a 45-7 win at the Coliseum. However, the memory of a 45-point loss to Alabama in Week 2 is still fresh in minds across the nation.

The Trojans don’t have a great record against Stanford over the past 10 seasons either. The Cardinal have won six of the last eight meetings between the two.

On the plus side for USC, their last trip up to Palo Alto ended in a hard-fought 13-10 victory.

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If USC wants to recreate that victory, they will need Clancy Pendergast’s defense to handle Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey better than former defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox in 2015.

The Heisman Trophy candidate had 461 all-purpose yards and had a trifecta of scores, rushing, receiving and throwing a touchdown against the Trojans.

On the other side of the ball, doubts about USC’s lackluster attack through the first two weeks will weight heavy. Despite plenty of playmakers at the skill positions, the Trojans are still waiting for the offensive line to click.

Against a physical Stanford defensive front, USC’s line could be the key in victory or defeat.