Rice Owls vs. USC Trojans: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 9/3/2022

Game time: 6 p.m. ET

Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA

Where to watch: PAC-12

DraftKings: USC -33, total 62

FanDuel: USC -32.5, total 61.5

BetMGM: USC -32.5, total 61.5

Caesars: USC -32.5, total 61.5

Rice: 4-8 (3-5 C-USA)

No. 14 USC: 4-8 (3-6 Pac-12)

The Lincoln Riley era is underway in Southern California. And you’d think that the No. 14 ranking is only just a placeholder and a matter of time before they’re up there as one of the best teams in the country.

You want to believe that. But of course, nothing is certain until they see it on the field. But even if you’re the biggest of skeptics regarding the USC Trojans, you can’t help but look at that team and think this should be the runaway winner of the Pac-12.

First thing’s first, however. The Trojans have to play the game, and you play to win the game. USC will host the Rice Owls on Saturday and begin not just the Riley era, but the beginning of what could be a bountiful partnership between quarterback Caleb Williams and reigning Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison.

Getting those two is like getting two star NBA free agents in the same offseason. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it sends shockwaves to the entire country. USC was running through the mill of mediocrity for far too long. They needed to make a splash, and indeed it has.

The Trojans are also bringing in 11 true freshman this year, a blend of immediate talent that will be stars when all is said and done, and a bridge for the future. That hasn’t happened since the Pete Carroll days, when you think about it. And if you’re looking to get off to a good start for USC, this start to the season might not get any better.

Following Rice, USC heads to Stanford against a Cardinal team that is still trying to find its legs. The Trojans return home for a matchup against Fresno State, whose defense is likely to be shredded by USC, and then Oregon State to close September. There’s no reason to think USC shouldn’t start 4-0 with an all-important game against Utah on the horizon.

“Like I said in my opening press conference, before even one of these players had come in, you don’t come to USC and you don’t come to Los Angeles to do things small. You got to set your sights big,” Riley said at Pac-12 media day. “We came here competitively to win championships, win them now and win them for a long time.”

Those championships will eventually turn into Big Ten opportunities in the next couple of years. With USC’s shortcomings in the Pac-12 in recent years, moving to the Big Ten with Riley and his recruiting prowess couldn’t have come at a better time. But with those shortcomings have come an emergence of teams at the top, like Utah, the reigning Pac-12 champions who took Ohio State to the wire in the Rose Bowl a year ago.

When it comes to pure talent, there’s nothing like what USC can bring to the table.

Don’t sleep on Rice. They have 13 returning starters after a 4-8 campaign last year, a group that’s determined to get better in the Conference-USA this season. But if you’re taking this game straight up, don’t think too hard on USC here.

USC has not been good against the spread in the past few years, just 3-7 ATS at home and only 6-7 ATS as a favorite. You have to wonder if the new regime gets things off to an electric start, and I think that’s what happens here. USC by 35

Rice is 60-75 ATS as a road underdog since 1992.

The over is 66-38 when Rice plays on the road since 1992.

USC is 2-6 ATS as a home favorite the past three seasons.

USC is 58-62 ATS in non-conference games since 1992.

Passing: Jake Constantine -- 1,622 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT

Rushing: Ari Broussard -- 569 yards, 3 TD

Receiving: Jake Bailey -- 714 yards, 2 TD

Defense: Naeem Smith -- 64 tackles, 4 INT

Passing: Kedon Slovis -- 2,153 yards, 11 TD, 8 INT

Rushing: Keaontay Ingram -- 911 yards, 5 TD

Receiving: Drake London -- 1,084 yards, 7 TD

Defense: Tuli Tuipulotu -- 5.5 sacks