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Arizona vs. USC point spread: Picking Wildcats vs. Trojans

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•10/04/23•

BarkleyTruax

Wide receiver Anthony Simpson #1 of the Arizona Wildcats is tackled by defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni #31 and defensive back Jaylin Smith #19 of the USC Trojans during the first half of the game at Arizona Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona.
Wide receiver Anthony Simpson #1 of the Arizona Wildcats is tackled by defensive lineman Tyrone Taleni #31 and defensive back Jaylin Smith #19 of the USC Trojans (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

For the second-straight week, USC is a 21.5-point favorite against a Pac-12 opponent. This time, it’s against Arizona.

Ahead of an exciting Week 6 slate, former NFL player Geoff Schwartz joined On3’s Andy Staples in revealing their picks for the Pac-12 Conference matchup between the Wildcats and Trojans.

“Jayden de Laura is a problem because he turns the ball over too much,” Schwartz told Staples. “If you don’t turn the ball over, you give yourself a chance to win every game. … But USC is going to win this game the way they win every game. It’ll be 45-31. I think that’s what the score was last season or a couple seasons ago. That’s just the way it will be.”

Even though he gave out a scoring prediction, Schwartz wouldn’t budge when making a definitive answer on the spread. He noted that he’s 0-3 when betting on the Trojans this season — so he’ll leave the pick to Staples for this matchup.

The fact that the Wildcats hung in there with one of the nation’s top offenses in Washington last week had only solidified his decision.

“I will take Arizona to cover here because I think you’re right,” Staples said. “The USC defense is what it is, and with Arizona having played Washington as close as they did, they’re not going to come in there scared.”

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The difference-maker for both sides will be USC’s offense. If star quarterback Caleb Williams is hot — Arizona’s chances at winning are slim to none. The Wildcats’ offense has a chance to score some points courtesy of the ailing Trojan defensive unit — which would likely cover the three-touchdown spead — but whether the Arizona offense can keep pace with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is an entirely different story.

Through five games, Williams has a 74.5% completion percentage (105-141) to go with 21 touchdowns and one interception. He has also added three touchdowns on the ground to complete an offense that ranks No. 1 in the country in points per game with 53.6.

Seven Trojan wide receivers have eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark on the season, while South Carolina transfer Marshawn Lloyd has emerged as one of the Pac-12’s most productive running backs with 52 carries and three touchdowns to his credit already this season.

Kickoff between the Trojans and Wildcats is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The over/under total is set at 72 total points — which both Staples and Schwartz believe will hit.