Associated Press
Utah State’s Kent Myers pitches off for a touchdown against Fresno State’s Tyquwan Glass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 | 2 a.m.
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We’re entering the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.
Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015.
Utah State plus-16.5 vs. USC: $330 to win $300
Last week, the first college football by the odds entry went 10-3-1 against the spread. Naturally, two of the three losses were also featured here as Play of the Days.
So this week, I wanted to do something different and go totally fresh in this space with something else off the board that caught my eye. Variety is always preferred anyway, right?
It would be for USC, which for once in the post-Pete Carrroll era would like to field a team that actually surpasses expectations. Trojans’ faithful are going to have to wait another year.
In the wake of USC’s 52-6 shellacking by Alabama, most are praising the Crimson Tide and calling them far and away the best team in the country. But what if that was only part of what triggered the result, and USC being mediocre played just as big of a role?
It’s at least possible. The coaching hire of Clay Helton was questionable from the start, and he now sits at 3-7 against the spread in the position.
The defense specifically has many questions, which should allow a Utah State offense that brings back a lot of production from last year to score enough to make it a game. Utah State coach Matt Wells was disappointed in last season’s 6-7 record, and challenged his team to improve this year.
Unlike USC, Utah State has a recent history of overachieving. The Aggies hang with a program perceived out of their league once or twice a year.
This year, they should be able to play with what looks like another disappointing Trojans team.
Current Standings: Bern (9-7, $11,292), Keefer (11-9-1, $10,051), Brewer (9-9, $9,405)
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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