Louisville enters this matchup hoping to end a two-game losing streak while USC is hoping to end a three-game losing streak when they meet the Cardinals at 9:00 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Join me as I break this one down along with a free pick for the Holiday Bowl matchup between Louisville and USC for Wednesday, December 27.
Louisville vs. USC Best Bet
This contest has been impacted heavily by the transfer portal as well as some players have chosen to “opt-out” in order to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Louisville is missing its best rusher and leading receiver along with a pair of key defensive players. USC was hit much harder; 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams highlights the list that includes several skill players on both sides of the ball.
Louisville will miss running back Jawher Jordan and wideout Jamari Thrash. They produced a large chunk of the offensive production and it would be foolish to think they won’t be missed but they didn’t offer that much and the Cardinals offense still managed to score 31+ in four of their last five.
The Cardinals still have plenty on offense and they face a USC defense that was down right awful this season. The Trojans defense allowed 42 points per game and allowed 34+ in each of their last eight regular season games and that’s with their best defense on the field. USC will miss several of their top defensive players Wednesday night that allow the red-hot Cardinals to hang on a big number on the Trojans.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Jack Plummer will suit up and he’s coming off a terrible ACC championship loss to Florida State. He was sacked seven times, threw for 111 yards and an offense averaging a 45th-best 30.4 points managed just six to the Seminoles. Three of Plummers top four receivers have 305+ receiving yards and backup running back Isaac Guerendo scampered for 649 yards and eight touchdowns will dress against USC.
USC might be missing Williams and a host of other players but they still have some talent. Backup quarterback Miller Moss can sling it and he’ll have leading wideout Tahj Washington along with several other speedie wide receivers not to mention senior running back Austin Jones. They’ll face a better than average Cardinals defense missing a solid edge rusher and dependable defensive back that will make life much easier for the Trojans backups to score points.
The best bet for this game is Over 58 (-110) at Caesars Kentucky. The Trojans defense hasn’t stopped anyone this season and that’s with their best players on the field. Louisville has capable offensive players and that group scored 31+ in four of their last five.
The Cardinals defense has been stout but missing pieces that will enable some young, highly skilled Trojans to find the end zone. Look for a shootout in Orlando and the game ending Over 58 points on Wednesday.
My Best Bet: Over 58 (-110) at Caesars
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