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NCAA Football – Week 2

The No.1-ranked Trojans’ march to this season’s BCS title game continues this Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in what should amount to another brisk workout before their schedule begins to really heat up. Last Saturday in its season opener, USC rolled over Hawaii 49-10 and just barely missed covering a huge 44.5-point spread as the home favorite. The total stayed UNDER the 62-point line.

Heisman hopeful Matt Barkley wasted little time spotting his team a lead with two first quarter passes for touchdowns. The defense added another score on an interception before the end of the opening quarter and the rout was on. Barkley finished the day completing 23-of-38 attempts for 372 yards and four touchdowns. The Trojans piled-up 475 yards of total offense while holding the Warriors to just 56 yards on the ground and 208 yards through the air.

Syracuse’s final season in the Big East before moving to the ACC got off to a wild start in a 42-41 loss to Northwestern as a two-point home favorite. The total went way OVER the 53.5-point line. The Orange trailed the Wildcats 35-13 midway through the third quarter, but roared back to take a 41-35 lead with just two minutes left to play. The defense could not hold the lead as Northwestern scored the game winner with 44 second left on the clock.

While the 41 points scored was an encouraging sign for Syracuse’s offense, you have to question how many points with its defense give-up this week? The Orange rolled-up 596 yards of total offense last Saturday including 470 yards through the air behind quarterback Ryan Nassib, but it also committed three costly turnovers that led directly to points for Northwestern.

Prediction:

It is hard seeing Syracuse keeping this game close, considering it is clearly outmatched on both sides of the ball. Its defense will not be able to contain Barkley and the USC passing attack and it is highly doubtful that Nassib will turn in another performance like last week against a much stiffer USC defense. While 27 points is a huge spread in a neutral-site contest, stick with the Trojans to score early and often to win and cover. USC 48 Syracuse 17