Arizona State vs USC Picks and Odds

• The No. 20 USC Trojans are 10.5-point home favorites over the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Week 10 matchup slated for Saturday, Nov. 7 at noon ET
• This is the first game of an abbreviated seven-game season for each team as the PAC-12 returns to play
• Find the odds, a breakdown of the matchup, and a pick for the game in the article below

The #20 USC Trojans host the Arizona State Sun Devils in Los Angeles Saturday, Nov. 7 at noon EST.

The Trojans are 10.5-point favorites heading into kickoff at the Coliseum in both programs’ season opener.

USC is coming off an up-and-down 8-5 season that ended with a disappointing 49-24 loss to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl.

Arizona State was also 8-5 in 2019, but finished on a much higher note after knocking off Florida State 20-14 in the Sun Bowl in ASU’s second season under Herm Edwards.

Arizona State vs USC Week 10 Odds

Odds taken Nov. 4 at FanDuel

Two Future NFL Picks at QB

USC head coach Clay Helton has been the target of much criticism by Trojan fans over the last couple years. They lament Helton’s inability to recruit at the level his predecessors did and his team’s inconsistent play. But 2020 could be different.

Sophomore quarterback Kedon Slovis is coming off a season that saw him throw for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns and set an NCAA freshman record for completion percentage (71.9%).

His familiarity with the Trojan offense – and second year offensive coordinator Graham Harrell – will be a critical factor in what type of season USC has.

Arizona State also returns a young, but experienced signal caller back. True sophomore QB Jayden Daniels was only intercepted twice in 338 attempts in 2019 – the lowest rate in college football last season.

So, with the two best quarterback on display Saturday morning, does USC deserve to be a 10.5-point favorite? We handicap the PAC-12 lid-lifter and make a pick.

Harrell’s Offense the Best Out West

With the likes of Justin Herbert and Jacob Eason gone to the NFL, Slovis and Daniels are the undisputed best pair of quarterback in the league. Which team’s QB performs best Saturday – or makes the least mistakes – will likely be victorious.

Of course, when players are as efficient as these two were last year, that’s tough to call. Slovis may have a slight edge when it comes to rapport with his OC.

The relationship between the sophomore and Harrell is undeniable. On the other side, Daniels is working with first-year offensive coordinator Zak Hill. While Slovis was more prone to the pick than Daniels in 2019, as he threw three interceptions in two of USC’s four regular-season losses – his command of the Trojan offense might be slightly higher.

Breakfast at Exposition Park

The 9 AM kickoff in Southern California is the earliest for a USC home game since 1891. That year, USC  — then known as the Methodists and lacking a head coach — faced Loyola at 9:30 AM. This year’s South division showdown is so early due to it being part of Fox’s national college football coverage.

How each program responds to the early kick will be key.

“To have this opportunity, we’re all excited about it,” Helton said of the odd start time. “It wasn’t long ago we were watching other teams play and it hurts your soul. The approach for us is to put the ball down. Put the ball down. We don’t care what day it is, what time it is, we just want to play the game we love.”

Of course, the pre-noon start won’t be the only oddity Saturday.

Of all the different things this season (9am start, no spring, no fans, etc.) Amon-Ra St. Brown said an empty stadium would be the strangest part of this modified season. #FightOn

— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) November 2, 2020

Being at home still favors the Trojans, but 10.5 points is a lot.

Sparky Will Be Ready

Yes, Arizona State lost top receiver Brandon Aiyuk and leading rusher Eno Benjamin to the NFL. But Daniels has redshirt senior wideout Frank Darby to throw to, along with junior running back and transfer Rachaad White and freshman Chip Trayanum to hand off to. All are talented in their own right.

deep threat. @JayD__5 🔗 @__andre10 pic.twitter.com/VJpRnH4Tsz

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) October 31, 2020

Daniels missed last year’s 31-26 loss to USC due to a leg injury and will no doubt be hungry to prove himself worthy of all of the preseason hype.

I’m fading the Trojans as this heavy of a favorite in this spot. While they may very well be victorious, the spread is simply too large for a Trojan team that struggles in the national spotlight.

The pick: Arizona State +10.5 (-108)