This pick was released to clients on August 22, 2014 at 9:37PM ET.
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Fresno State at USC

August 30, 2014
img7:30 PM Eastern
Premium Pick

Nice to see you again! Fresno State opens at #15 USC here, and these teams met the last game in a 45-20 USC rout in the Las Vegas bowl. And that was when Fresno had the #1 passing offense in the nation behind QB Derek Carr, who's now in the NFL. USC led 35-6 at the half on a neutral field and ended up with an edge in yards 499-253. The Bulldogs are 16-37-1 ATS in their last 54 games on grass. Coach Tim DeRuyter is now rebuilding and it looks like a down year for the Bulldogs. Fresno is 1-4 ATS in non-conference games, plus 2-6 ATS against the PAC-12. Meanwhile USC is loaded with eight starters back on offense, seven on defense and has home field. In addition, the Trojans have a new coach in Steve Sarkisian, who did a great job at Washington and was a much sought after hire. Sarkisian's introduction of a hurry-up, no-huddle scheme dominated offseason chatter. QB Cody Kessler tore up this Fresno defense, with a Las Vegas Bowl record four touchdown passes - all in the first half. Kessler finished completing 22 of 30 passes for 344 yards. USC is on a 5-2 ATS run and 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and will be sky-high for their new coach. Go with the Trojans.

1 unit on USC -21 (-105) (risk 1 to return 1.95)
Result:
WIN
FINAL
1
2
3
4
F
Fresno State Bulldogs
0
7
6
0
13
USC Trojans img
21
10
21
0
52
consensus consensus
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