Rice vs USC Week 1 Game Info
2022 NCAA College Football Game
Rice Owls (0-0) vs.'No. 14 USC Trojans (0-0)
Date:'Saturday, September 3, 2022< br/>Time:'6:00 p.m. ET
Venue:'Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA
Coverage:'PAC12 Network
Week 1 of the 2022 NCAA college football season includes a showdown between the Rice Owls and No. 14 USC Trojans. Rice struggled to keep up with the competition in 2021 and it led to the school's seventh losing season in a row (4-8 record). The Owls do welcome back a ton of starters, though.
Meanwhile, the Trojans have found themselves all over the news this offseason. A new head coach in Lincoln Riley and a new quarterback in Caleb Williams have caused expectations for the season to be sky-high. Anything less than a Pac-12 conference title would be viewed as a disappointment here.
Rice vs USC Odds & Spread
Moneyline:'RICE: (+2000) | USC: (-7000)
Spread:'RICE: +32.5 (-110) | USC: -32.5 (-110)
Total:'61.5 -'Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
USC enters this contest as the huge favorite on the moneyline and the spread. This 6 p.m. ET clash also features a total of 61.5, which is above average compared to this week's college football projected totals.
Rice vs USC Prediction & Pick
USC controlled the transfer portal better than any other team. Williams was the No. 1 rated player available, according to 247sports.com, and wide receiver Jordan Addison was not far behind. The former Pittsburgh Panther posted 1,593 yards and 18 touchdowns on 100 receptions last year.
The level of talent Riley has to work with puts USC in the title conversation right away. That spells trouble for the Rice Owls. Head coach Mike Bloomgren's team hasn't beaten a Pac-12 opponent in any of its last five attempts. This does not line up to be the game in which that streak is snapped.
Final Score Prediction:'Rice: 14 | USC: 51
Rice vs USC Betting Trends
– Rice is 0-5 straight up in its last five games against a Pac-12 opponent.
– The total has hit the over in eight of Rice's last 10 Week 1 games.
– USC is 18-1 straight up in its last 19 Week 1 games.
– The total has hit the over in each of USC's last six home games.
Rice vs USC Best Bet
Don't get it twisted, covering 31.5 points is a tall task. However, this Trojans team has the depth to get the job done. Williams is going to come out wanting to prove he is one of the best QBs in the country after posting 27 total touchdowns as a freshman. His foot is going to stay on the gas all day long.
Even if USC opts to deploy second and third-string players in the second half, the score should be out of hand enough for the Trojans to cover. After all, Rice was 3-9 against the spread in 2021 and lacks star power on both sides of the ball. This is the perfect opportunity to USC to impress.