2008 College Picks Record 2-0 + 5.00units

Saturday, 3:30 pm Eastern – ABC

SBG Global Opening Line: USC  -  20.5  ,  Total  43

This year Third-ranked USC begins the 2008 regular season with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after not making the National Championship game last season.  The Trojans have set an NCAA record with six straight 11-win seasons but last year was considered a failure because they did not even make the title game.  they must avoid looking past Virginia to the game against Ohio State in two weeks. “Every game is a championship game for us,” USC head coach Pete Carroll said.  The Trojans must replace 10 players that went to the NFL but at USC they don’t rebuild, they reload. SBG Global reports that early NCAA Football betting has the public taking USC on the Road.

“We’ve had a terrific run with the kids that have been in the program, that have won national championships, but they’ve all left us,” Carroll said. “To see the change in leadership and the emergence of the leadership, we sense a whole new excitement.”  Quarterback Mark Sanchez leads a very talented USC squad this season.  He dislocated his left kneecap earlier this month but is ready for Saturday’s game. “Oh, I think so, absolutely. Especially mentally,” Sanchez said, “I feel good about it. If it were up to me, I’m in.”

Last season the Trojans were ranked #1 before the season but suffered the biggest loss in college football betting history as Stanford beat them in early October.  They lost to Oregon later that month and finished 11-2 overall.  USC returns some excellent talent including linebackers Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing. “I’m sure everybody’s confident on the defensive side that we’re going to be somebody,” Maualuga said.

SBG Global Current Line: USC  -  19.5  ,  Total  43

Virginia made it into the Top 25 last season but returns only 10 starters this season. “We like to have some challenging games on an on-going basis,” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “It’s good for our team. It brings out the best in your team. Competition is not about always scheduling to win. Competition is about stepping out there and putting yourself out there a little bit and seeing what you can do with it.”

Here are the NCAA Football betting stats for Saturday’s game. The Trojans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass. The Trojans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Trojans are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 non-conference games.

The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in August. The Cavaliers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games.

The Under is 5-0 in the Trojans last 5 games in August. The Under is 9-2 in the Trojans last 11 games overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Trojans last 5 road games. The Under is 15-4 in the Trojans last 19 games on grass. The Over is 10-4 in the Trojans last 14 non-conference games. The Over is 4-1 in the Cavaliers last 5 games on grass. The Under is 4-1 in the Cavaliers last 5 games in August. The Over is 4-1 in the Cavaliers last 5 games overall. The Under is 13-6 in the Cavaliers last 19 home games.

 

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