Monday, Jan. 2nd
NCAA Football - Rose Bowl
USC (-7.5, 59) vs. Penn State (5 pm ET, ESPN)
This is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. My power ratings make USC -7, so this line was spot on all week, but has now crossed that key number in most locations.
USC won eight consecutive games after opening the season with a 1-3 SU record. The Trojans’ offense averaged 32.9 points per game on 6.4 yards per play versus defenses that allowed 28.5 points per game on just 5.5 yards per play this season. USC’s defense was excellent as they only gave 22.2 points per game on 5.2 yards per play versus offenses that averaged 31.6 points per game on 5.9 yards per play overall.
Penn State won their final nine games of the season after opening with a 2-2 SU record. The Nittany Lions averaged 36.7 points per game on an incredible 6.4 yards per play versus defenses that allowed 25.2 points per game on just 5.3 yards per play. Penn State’s defense was also terrific as they only gave up 23.4 points per game on 4.9 yards per play versus offenses that averaged 28.8 points per game on 5.5 yards per play overall.
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