Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Thursday October 26th: Buffalo vs Tampa Bay 8:15pmET
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The Cal Golden Bears play host to the USC Trojans on Saturday afternoon in a PAC 12 showdown from California Memorial Stadium. The Trojans come into this one searching for answers, having lost back-to-back games coming into this one. For Cal, they're dealing with back-to-back losses too, as well as losses in three of their last four games overall. This is a series that the Trojans have dominated historically, having won eight of the last ten meetings, including a six-point win last season. Since 2018, they've split four meetings, giving the Golden Bears some hope at home. This in-state rivalry is always interesting and will certainly be one that fans on the West Coast won't want to miss.
Despite coming into the season as a College Football Playoff contender, the Trojans have quickly faded back into a position where they simply hope to be ranked when things are said and done. The game on the road against Notre Dame didn't come as a massive surprise, though losing at home to a Utah team decimated by injuries was a shock to many. The schedule doesn't get any easier after this one, with Washington and Oregon next on the docket, along with a matchup against city rival UCLA. If they can't find the win in this one, things could spiral out of control quickly for a program that looked like it was turning a corner. The talent on the offensive end is undeniable, though the defense needs to turn things around quickly if they want to get things back on track.
It should help that the Trojans have seen their health improve over recent weeks and their depth will be a massive adva ntage. They are down a pair in Korey Foreman and Raleek Brown, though given the limited role that both have played this season, even those two absences aren't likely to impact how this one turns out.
The offense ranks 11th nationally in total yards and fourth in yards per play, which is to be expected given the talent they have. Caleb Williams (23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) has struggled over recent weeks, though continues to play with plenty of energy to give them a great chance at winning. The defense is bound to be the difference in this one, coming into the weekend ranked 107th nationally in yards allowed. They've struggled as conference play has worn on and there are major concerns that this might be too much to overcome, especially considering they're already halfway through the season. The secondary leads the way, representing three of the top four tacklers on the team, but until constant pressure gets put on opposing quarterbacks, this g roup might continue to be exposed.
Free Daily NFL Lock Pick, Thursday October 26th: Buffalo vs Tampa Bay 8:15pmET CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW