USC vs. Stanford 2017 Odds: Trojans slight favorites over Cardinal

The opening odds for the USC vs. Stanford game have the Trojans favored by four points over the Cardinal in the Pac-12 opener.

The Week 2 matchup of USC vs. Stanford will pit two bitter Pac-12 rivals against each other for a mouthwatering conference opener.

On Sunday, Sports Book Review’s consensus line for the game opened at four points in favor of the Trojans, with the line moving to seven points by the evening.

With the game at the Coliseum, it is no surprise to see USC favored, despite last year’s 17-point loss to the Cardinal when the Trojans opened as 6.5-point underdogs.

This Saturday, both the Trojans and Cardinal will be looking to prove their legitimacy as Pac-12 title contenders.

The season openers for the two teams played out very differently, as Stanford traveled to Australia for a dominant romp over Rice. As 29-point favorites, the Cardinal more than covered the spread with a 62-7 victory.

A week later, USC welcomed Western Michigan to the Coliseum as a 27-point favorite, but the Trojans needed an explosive fourth quarter to put the Broncos away, 49-31, going 0-1 against the spread to start the season.

While USC should enjoy a slight boost as the home team, Stanford is also coming off of an early season bye after flying back from Sydney and sitting out this weekend.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

Both squads boast powerful rushing attacks which should provide a tough test for the opposing defense. Stanford’s Bryce Love looked the part of Christian McCaffrey’s replacement against Rice while Ronald Jones II was USC’s most potent offensive weapon against Western Michigan, scoring three touchdowns.

The Trojans own the edge at quarterback with Sam Darnold at the helm, though Stanford’s Keller Chryst put in a respectable performance during the season opener throwing for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

USC will need to sort out the chemistry between Darnold and his new-look receiving corps before David Shaw’s team comes to town, while also settling down a struggling run defense.

TRENDING: Studs and Duds vs. Western Michigan

On the other sideline, the Cardinal must show they can retain an elite level on both sides of the ball with McCaffrey and top defender Solomon Thomas gone to the NFL.