COLLEGE FOOTBALL
USC's offense was the stronger unit in every major category that matters for scoring games: 471.6 total yards per game, 297.3 passing yards per game, and 174.3 rushing yards per game. San Jose State was productive enough on offense to avoid being one-dimensional, but its 21.4 points per game and 282.3 passing yards per game are a weaker baseline than USC's overall profile. The other side of the ball also matters here, and USC's defense held opponents to 348.8 yards per game and 22.4 points per game, while San Jose State allowed 403.2 yards and 32.5 points. That mix creates a clear talent gap, but not necessarily a total that keeps climbing forever. USC can win comfortably without needing to run a high-possession track meet, and San Jose State's defense has already shown enough weakness to allow explosive plays. The key question is whether USC's scoring comes early enough to force a higher final number or whether the game settles into a lead-control script. The stats lean slightly toward the latter, which is why the under is the better betting angle than the side.
USC should win comfortably, but the better betting edge is on the under because the total has already been pushed high enough to account for the Trojans' offense. A projected score of USC 45, San Jose State 13 gives a 58-point game, which stays below 60.5 and fits the season-long production profile of both teams. The Trojans have the better offense and defense, but the Spartans do not project to force a true shootout, making the under the strongest play.
