This Saturday afternoon, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) will head west to battle the USC Trojans (4-5, 2-5). These programs have met just 5 times with USC holding a 4-0-1 edge.
Each program is looking to regain its former glory.
Now, for the first time, Nebraska and USC find themselves in the same conference, and this mid-November matchup comes with both programs fighting for bowl eligibility.
The Trojans are home favorites of -9 with an over/under of 51, but each side enters the matchup having made a significant change on the offensive side of the ball.
Let's dive into my Nebraska vs. USC predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Nov. 16.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs USC Trojan Prediction, Picks
- Nebraska vs. USC Pick: Nebraska +9.5
Nebraska vs USC Odds, Spread, Lines
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -115 | 51 -110 / -110 | +222 |
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -105 | 51 -110 / -110 | -278 |
- Nebraska vs USC Spread: Nebraska +7 · USC -7
- Nebraska vs USC Over/Under: 51 Points
- Nebraska vs USC Moneyline: Nebraska +222 · USC -278
Nebraska vs USC Week 12 Betting Preview
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview: Bounce Back Needed
Considering Nebraska's quarterbacks in recent years, Dylan Raiola has been adequate this season.
The true freshman is averaging 200 passing yards per game, completing nearly 65% of his passes with 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
However, expectations are a bit higher when you are a five-star recruit and a program legacy.
Nebraska has lost its last three games while averaging 14.7 points per game.
That led head coach Matt Rhule to elevate Dana Holgorsen to offensive coordinator. Holgorsen is an experienced head coach himself (92-69), but before that, he cut his teeth as offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, Houston, and Oklahoma.
Holgorsen is known for his Air Raid system, which would work well for a passer of Raiola's ability. However, we likely won't see his Air Raid fully implemented until next season.
Additionally, getting healthy is the first priority for Raiola after he suffered a back injury in the fourth quarter. He's expected to play this week.
USC Trojans Betting Preview: Looking for an Offensive Spark
USC quarterback Miller Moss completed 64.4% of his passes and recorded 2,555 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, leading the Trojans to a rank of 26th in Passing Success Rate this season.
However, that wasn't good enough for head coach Lincoln Riley, who announced that Jayden Maiava will get the start this week.
Maiava has attempted just 11 passes this season, but he threw for over 3,000 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions at UNLV. He added 277 yards and three touchdowns on the ground as well.
Maiava's mobility gives the Trojans offense an added dimension that Moss does not. Maiava will try to spark the Trojans, who have lost four of their last five games.
However, snapping that skid may have more to do with the defense.
USC has made strides defensively under first-year defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn, but it still has allowed 25.7 points per game in Big Ten play.
It has also surrendered a second-half lead in each of its five losses, two of which were by double digits.
Even if Maiava sparks the offense, Nebraska won't be out of the game if USC's defense continues to struggle in the second half.
USC vs Nebraska Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how USC and Nebraska match up statistically:
Nebraska Offense vs. USC Defense
 | Offense |  Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 59 | 58 |  |
| Line Yards | 50 | 65 | |
| Pass Success | 67 | 40 | |
| Havoc | 94 | 84 | |
| Finishing Drives | 122 | 69 | |
| Quality Drives | 67 | 59 | |
USC Offense vs. Nebraska Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 8 | 57 | |
| Line Yards | 8 | 61 | |
| Pass Success | 26 | 60 | |
| Havoc | 39 | 27 | |
| Finishing Drives | 38 | 25 | |
| Quality Drives | 31 | 20 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 27 | 17 |
| PFF Coverage | 66 | 75 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 122 | 47 |
| Middle 8 | 61 | 57 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.3 (99) | 26.6 (53) |
| Rush Rate | 51% (84) | 40% (128) |
How to Bet My Nebraska vs USC Pick
Three of Nebraska's four losses have come by seven points or less. That includes a four-point defeat to No. 2 Ohio State. It also defeated Rutgers by a touchdown at home.
Meanwhile, five of USC's seven conference games (and six of nine games overall) have been decided by seven points or less.
What I am getting at is both teams often find themselves in close games. While both will look a bit different offensively this week, this will likely be another game decided by one possession.
That means Nebraska is the better side to back at +9.5 — especially considering USC may not even be starting its best quarterback this week.
Pick: Nebraska +9.5 (Play to +7.5)
Nebraska vs USC Start Time, TV Channel, How to Watch
| Location: | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, Nov. 16 |
| Kickoff Time: | 4 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FOX |
Nebraska takes on USC on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX.
Nebraska vs USC Betting Trends
Nebraska vs USC Weather
