Welcome to Week 13 of the college football season.
Another week of action means Action Network senior writer Collin Wilson is looking at the board and finding the bets he like for Saturday's loaded slate.
After taking James Madison to cover against Georgia State in Week 11 and Penn State to dominate Purdue in Week 12, he'll look to move to 3-0 on his early bets when the USC Trojans meet the UCLA Bruins in a cross-town Big Ten battle..
Like all sports, grabbing the best number when lines come out is paramount when it comes to betting college football.
For example, a -6.5 favorite could move to -7.5 on Saturday morning, and you run the risk of that team winning by one of the most likely outcomes — a seven-point victory — and you just lost your bet.
Ideally, that could all be avoided by locking in the best number early in the week. That's going to be the goal for this Saturday afternoon Big Ten battle.
Continue reading for college football odds, NCAAF picks and early bets for Week 13.
USC vs. UCLA Odds
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 51.5 -114o / -106u | -178 |
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 51.5 -114o / -106u | +146 |
There may not be a more aesthetically pleasing uniform combination in college football than when USC and UCLA take the field on Saturday.
The Bruins and Trojans are both members of the Big Ten now, and each sits with a 3-5 conference record while striving to make a bowl game.
UCLA must win its final two games to make the postseason in head coach DeShaun Foster’s first season at the helm. Consecutive games in the Rose Bowl give the Bruins home-field advantage, but cross-town rival USC also sits outside of bowl season with one win needed to qualify.
The Trojans have new life after quarterback Jayden Maiava made his first start in L.A. in a 28-20 win over Nebraska in Week 12.
The UNLV transfer connected on 25-of-35 passes for three touchdowns and 259 yards, escaping nine pressures while taking just a single sack.
Maiava will continue to push an offense that's top-25 in Passing Success Rate.
UCLA has had severe issues on defense this season, falling to the bottom 15 in Quality Drives allowed and Defensive Finishing Drives. The Bruins defense also ranks 129th in forcing contested catches this season while coming in at 124th in PFF Pass Rush grade.
✌️ 25-35 CMP
✌️ 279 TOTAL YDS
✌️ 4 TOTAL TDJayden Maiava did a lot of damage in his first @uscfb start.#B1GFootballpic.twitter.com/1XkZAz9sGV
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 17, 2024
On the other side of the ball, UCLA wilted against Washington's pass defense in Week 12. The Bruins generated 4.2 overall yards per play and no explosive drives.
Similar to its defense, trouble awaits when UCLA gets into scoring opportunities. Foster's team has averaged just three points per trip on 50 possessions inside the extended red zone.
Quarterback Ethan Garbers will be met with resistance in this game, as USC ranks inside the top 50 in explosive passing allowed. The USC defense will shine in passing downs against Garbers, ranking second in explosives allowed and top-30 in efficiency.
This USC vs. UCLA clash will be chock full of passing attempts, but the defensive numbers give an edge to Maiava.
Pick: USC -5.5 or Better
