Updated Louisville vs. USC odds: Holiday Bowl point spread

After a brief hiatus, college football bowl season resumes this week, including an exciting matchup in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl between USC and No. 15 ranked Louisville.

After opening up as 6.5-point favorites against the Trojans, Louisville is now a 7-point favorite over USC for Wednesday’s matchup according to FanDuel. And with the point spread going up half a point, the point total went up as well for the game, jumping up one point as it now sits at 58.5 points for the games over-under.

How to watch USC vs Louisville

Time: December 27 — 8 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX, FuboTV
Location: San Diego, CA

USC’s star quarterback Caleb Williams will not be playing for the Trojans in the Holiday Bowl, deciding to forgo the game as he pursues his future toward a professional career ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Heisman Trophy winner serves as a major loss in this matchup for USC, responsible for 8,688 yards and 95 total touchdowns in his two seasons in Los Angeles.

Miller Moss will receive the start under center for USC on Wednesday, serving as the first in his collegiate career. But unfortunately for Moss, the Trojans will be without a fair share of playmakers on the offense, with wide receivers Raleek Brown, Mario Williams, and Michael Jackson III all entering the transfer portal following the regular season.

The status of starting running back MarShawn Lloyd and wide receiver Brenden Rice is also uncertain as well with both players declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft along with Williams. Key defensive players like Domani Jackson and Tackett Curtis have entered the transfer portal as well for the Trojans.

The Cardinals will also be without some of their key difference makers due to the transfer portal and NFL Draft declarations following their impressive 10-3 season and ACC Championship appearance in their first year under head coach Jeff Brohm.

Louisville will be without their top rusher and pass catcher from the regular season in the Holiday Bowl, with running back Jawhar Jordan and wideout Jamari Thrash both forgoing the game to focus on their preparation for the NFL.

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Unlike USC, the Cardinals will have their starting quarterback in this matchup Jack Plummer following his impressive 3,063-yard, 21-touchdown season along with his entire offensive line. But regardless of who’s in or out of the lineups, both teams still have enough depth and firepower for the Holiday Bowl to be one of the most exciting bowl matchups of the season.