USC Trojans vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers prediction: odds, expert picks, team news, QBs, trends and stats

Minnesota and USC meet for the first time as conference foes on Saturday.

USC is 3-1 this season (1-1 in the Big Ten) with the only loss coming in the Big House when the Trojans fell to the Michigan Wolverines (27-24) a few weeks ago. The Trojans struggled in the first half against Wisconsin last week, but won 38-21 and scored 28 points without allowing a single point to the Badgers.

Minnesota is 2-3 (0-2 in the Big Ten) this year, with back-to-back losses to Michigan (27-24) and Iowa (31-14) in recent weeks. This past week’s loss to the Wolverines sparked a furious comeback in which the Golden Gophers scored 21.4^e quarter points only to fall just short. Minnesota’s two wins have come against Nevada and Rhode Island.

We’re at that point in the season where every game has so much value for every school, whether it’s their position in the conference standings or bowl eligibility. This game is no different. If USC wants to stay in contention in the conference, Lincoln Riley’s team can’t afford another loss. If PJ Fleck and the Golden Gophers can survive the Trojans, they will have UCLA and Maryland in the next two weeks, which will give Minnesota a chance to gain some momentum before heading into the stretch.

NBC Sports has the latest information and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from BetMGM, player news and updates, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.

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Game details and how to watch USC vs. Minnesota can watch – live Saturday

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024

• Time: 7:30 PM EST

• Location: Huntington Bank Stadium

• City: Minneapolis, Minnesota

• TV/Streaming: Big Ten Network

Do you want the other games on the College Football Schedule this week? We’ve got you covered here on NBC Sports with all the matchup, location, game time and TV/streaming information so you don’t miss any of the action!

Match odds for USC vs. Minnesota – Week 6

The latest odds from Monday afternoon:

· Moneyline: USC-350, Minnesota +270
· Spread: USC-9 (-110)
· Total: 51.5 points

*opportunities courtesy of BetMGM

The spread opened around USC as a -10.5 favorite, which equated to -8.5 or -9 at most sportsbooks. Money is coming in on the Golden Gophers after they scored 15 points in the fourth quarter against Michigan, making that game seem much closer than it was. The total opened at 52.0, so not much movement.

Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts, Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp, actionable insight, market analysis and statistics to help bettors gain more information before placing their bets. So whether you’re focusing on spreads and totals, looking for value in the futures markets or circling player props, listen to their podcast to give you that extra edge.

NBC Sportsbook Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) has the following best bets for Saturday’s game between the USC Trojans and Minnesota Golden Gophers:

“USC and Minnesota are a tough game to hinder, but with the line moving toward Minnesota, there could be some sharp action coming here.

USC is traveling back across the country after playing Utah State at home, then going to Michigan, going back to California to host Wisconsin, and now heading to Minnesota – all in the last four weeks.

It’s hard to have confidence in USC with all the traveling and Max Brosmer doesn’t know how to stop even when he’s 2-3 touchdowns behind him, like last week’s Michigan game (24-3 going into the fourth quarter).

I would target the OVER 51 because Minnesota should be able to move the ball at home in USC’s defense. If you’re targeting a spread, I would look at Minnesota in the first quarter or first half.”

Up from the trading desk BetMGM courtesy of John Ewing: National Championship

Line Movement (open until now)
· Alabama +600 to +375
· State of Ohio +700 to +375
· Georgia +500 to +650

Highest ticket%
· State of Ohio 16.0%
Texas 11.3%
· Georgia 11.3%

College Football talk is taking over Bet on the edge every Thursday throughout the season. Bet the EDGE is your source for all things sports betting. Get all the insights from Vaughn Dalzell, Eric Froton and Brad Thomas Thursdays at 6:00 PM ET here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Quarterback matchup for USC vs. Minnesota

USC: Miller Moss has totaled 1,198 passing yards, 8 TDs to 2 INTs with a 65.4 completion percentage through four games. Moss recorded 681 passing yards on 61 attempts for the Trojans last season.

Minnesota: Max Brosmer has 1,094 passing yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTs with a completion percentage of 66.2. Brosmer was a four-year player at New Hampshire who had consecutive seasons of over 3,000 yards before transferring to Minnesota.

Player news and recent stats from Trojans vs. Golden Gophers

• USC is 3-1 ATS and 2-2 overall and starts the season with two consecutive Overs.

• Minnesota is 3-2 ATS this season and 3-2 against the Over with two consecutive Overs.

• USC is 0-8 ATS over the past eight games after defeating a conference opponent.

• Minnesota is 0-1-1 ATS as a home underdog this season, 0-3-1 since 2022 and 2-3-2 since 2021 in the role.

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Follow our experts on socials to stay up to date with the latest staff content:

• Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

• Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

• Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

• Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

• Eric Froton (@CFFroton)