College Football Pick: #22 Arizona Wildcats at #17 USC Trojans

Big Pac-12 South Division Contest Tests Defenses

pmroczka

November 4, 2017

Arizona Plays USC 2017 College Football Pick

One of the final college football games in week 10 features the #22 Arizona Wildcats (6-2 Overall, 4-1 Pac-12) at the #17 USC Trojans (7-2 Overall, 5-1 Pac-12). These two Pac-12 teams are battling for first in the South Division with the Trojans presently in first and the Wildcats second.

These are two teams that score a lot of points. Arizona, in their last game, beat #15 WSU 58-37, while USC beat ASU 48-17. Our Arizona plays USC 2017 college football pick has the Trojans at -6.5 and the over/under at 78.0.

Arizona- Pluses and Minuses

Arizona QB Kahlil Tate (68.7 COMP%, 6 TD, 3 INT) is a major dual threat. Rushing he has 69 carries for 926 yards and eight TDs. He’s averaging 13.4 YPC. RBs Brandon Dawkins and Zach Green each have scored six rushing TDs. Each member of a trio of receivers has caught from 22-24 passes and together they total eight TD catches. This is a very good offense.

The Wildcats have a decent secondary that led by CB Lorenzo Burns (53 TCKLs, 3 INTs, 5 PD). DE Kylan Wilborn (24 TCKLs, 5 SCKs, 7 TFL) leads the charge on QBs and in stopping the run. He has three forced fumbles. LB Tony Fields II (58 TCKLs, 3 SCKs, 3.5 TFL) is the team’s top tackler. The D is giving up 30.3 PPG.

Wildcats Summary

Offense can score but D can’t stop opponents
Tate’s got a lot of tools
Bread and butter is their rush attack

USC- Pluses and Minuses

QB Sam Darnold (62.5 COMP%, 20 TDs, 10 INTs) is an able passer. WR Deontay Burnett (61 REC, 12.9 AVG, 8 TDs) is his go-to pass catcher. RB Ronald Jones II (132 ATT, 888 YDs, 6.7 AVG, 8 TDs) is a major threat. These guys can put points on the board quickly.

The Trojans are allowing 24.8 PPG. DB Jalen Jones has four picks and six PD. LB Cameron Smith (79 TCKLs, 0.5 SCKs, 8.0 TFL) is the team’s lead tackler and very tough versus the run. DE Christian Rector (31 TCKLs, 6.5 SCKs, 10 TFL) has forced two fumbles and recovered two. This group will be tested against the run tonight.

Trojans Summary

QB Darnold needs to be accurate
Can they stop the run?
RB Jones needs to have a good night

Three Major Takeaways

Here are our Arizona plays USC 2017 college football pick three primary takeaways.

Darnold vs. Kahlil, edge to Kahlil
USC offensive depth vs. Arizona depth, edge to Arizona
Trojan D vs. Wildcat D, edge to Trojans

Our Arizona at USC Free Pick

In creating our Arizona plays USC 2017 college football pick, we feel the D edge that USC has is less important than the edges the Cats have on offense. Neither teams has a great defense. Arizona is averaging 45 PPG on offense, while USC is putting 33.7 PPG on the scoreboard. We are taking the Wildcats at +7.0 and the over at 77.5.