USC Trojans odds preview, best future betting markets, and up to $2,850 in sportsbook bonus codes

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After leaving Oklahoma and bringing star QB Caleb Williams along to USC, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans had a monumental 2022 season that ultimately fell short of expectations.

The Trojans went 11-3, earning the No. 6 spot in the 2023 AP Top 25 poll. The National Championship is within reach for USC, and we preview those odds along with two other USC betting markets ahead of the 2023 college football kickoff.

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USC will go as far as Williams can take them. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner led the offense to the third-most points and yards per game in 2022.

However, the Trojans lost its leading rusher and receiver in Travis Dye and Jordan Addison, respectfully. Despite this, many familiar faces return on offense to maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

Austin Jones will get a bulk of the work in the backfield following a 705-yard, five-touchdown campaign. USC also returns three of its four leading receivers from a season ago, giving Williams plenty of familiarity in the ariel attack.

To reach new heights, USC’s defense must improve. The unit allowed 27 points per game despite tallying 19 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries. USC ranked fifth in the nation in takeaways but struggled against the run and on third downs.

The defensive issues were addressed through the transfer portal, as USC features a new-look defensive line with players plucked from Georgia, Purdue, and Texas A&M, to name a few schools.

Meanwhile, the secondary is generally untouched, with many returning players looking to continue their ball-hawking ways in 2023.

If Williams can stay the course and get help on defense, the sky is the limit for USC.

The Trojans were a win away from its first College Football Playoff appearance, but Utah had other plans, beating USC in the Pac-12 Championship game by 23 points.

While the end of the season was disappointing, USC proved it had the durability to stay in the CFP race over the course of its schedule. The Trojans ranked as high as No. 4 in the AP poll, losing only one regular season game.

Look for the Trojans to hang tough again this year as it breaks through and qualifies for the College Football Playoff.

Of course, USC’s National Title hopes lay on the shoulders of Williams. The Washington, D.C. native has the ability to make every pass imaginable while being an elusive runner.

However, best practice for Williams may be to avoid rushing considering how pivotal he is to the Trojans. Losing him to injury for a single game could be detrimental to USC’s season.

The Trojans hold top odds to win the Pac-12 for the first time since 2017. Rounding out the top five in the Pac-12 Championship odds market are Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Oregon State.

USC dominated conference opponents in 2022, going 8-1 in Pac-12 play. The only regular season loss came against Utah in Salt Lake City.

Utah has won consecutive Pac-12 Championships, but QB Cam Rising’s health is a concern for the Utes. Rising tore his ACL in the Rose Bowl and underwent surgery shortly after, and his status for the 2023 season is a mystery.

If Rising misses significant time or doesn’t return to his old form, the Trojans’ path to a Pac-12 title becomes far easier.

The Trojans start the season this Saturday in Week 0, with a bye coming after Week 2. An early-year bye presents problems for USC, as mid-to-late season byes allow players battling injuries to recover ahead of the stretch run.

Despite this, getting the Trojans win total at 9.5 or 10 remains an enticing wager. USC opens the year at the LA Memorial Coliseum against San Jose State and Nevada, which should result in victories.

The Trojans then face four bottom-tier Pac-12 teams, moving USC to a perfect 6-0 record. Then comes a pair of trying matchups at No. 13 Notre Dame, followed by a matchup at the Coliseum vs. No. 14 Utah.

USC then gets a breather at Cal, followed by a home and road game against No. 10 Washington and No. 15 Oregon, respectfully. To close the year, USC hosts UCLA.

How USC performs in the final six games will make or break the team’s win total and future betting markets. With the win total at 9.5, USC must be perfect through the first six games to afford to lose two of the final six games, which is very attainable.

However, a two-loss season would crush the Trojans College Football Playoff hopes.

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