USC vs Oregon Odds: Trojans Open As Two-Touchdown Favorites

Oddsmakers set the line for USC vs Oregon at 14 points as the Trojans host the Ducks in a bid for their fifth straight win since starting the season 1-3.

The line for USC vs Oregon opened at 14 points on Sunday, a two-touchdown advantage for the Trojans who fell to the Ducks last year by a margin of 20.

Last year’s contest may mean USC has fuel for revenge on Homecoming against Oregon, but the Ducks present a significantly different challenge now than they did back then.

While they ended USC’s four-game winning streak in 2015, the Ducks were flying high under Vernon Adams as they turned their season around after a rough start.

This time around, Oregon is still trying to find their footing after losing five consecutive games since they started 2-0. Three of those losses came against No. 4 Washington, No. 9 Nebraska, No. 21 Colorado so the Ducks have had far from an easy slate. However, they also fell to Washington State and Cal during that period — both on the road.

Oregon rallied with a win over Arizona State on Saturday, so the Trojans are now tasked with setting them back to losing ways.

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To do so, Clay Helton’s squad will need to continue their own hot streak with a potent offense led by quarterback Sam Darnold and a defense which has come into its own, holding four high-powered offenses to an average of 380.5 yards per game in October.

USC moved to 5-3 on the season and 4-4 against the spread with their victory over Cal on Thursday.

The Trojans were favored by 20 points at kick off, though they opened the week with a 13-point advantage. With the 45-24 win, USC covered the big spread though the game fell under the projected point total of 74.

The Ducks have struggled to cover the spread in eight games this season. Saturday’s 54-35 win over ASU was the first time Oregon has won against the spread in 2016.