USC vs Colorado Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 5
Week 5’s USC vs Colorado matchup is one that has the attention of the college football world, but just like the eventual mismatch Oregon and CU were on September 23, the attention may fade by the fourth (or third) quarter on September 30 in Boulder.
The Buffs have the home-field advantage, with numerous celebrities like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and DJ Khaled coming on behalf of Coach Prime, but USC is no stranger to the spotlight as a Los Angeles-based program. LeBron James and his son Bronny, a Trojans basketball commit, will be at Folsom Field along with USC superfan Will Ferrell.
The pomp and pageantry of a Deion Sanders-coached Colorado team won’t overcome Lincoln Riley’s squad. Can the Buffs keep things close as a heavy underdog against the undefeated No. 8 team in the nation?
USC vs Colorado Odds, Spread, and Total
The point spread for Week 5 has Colorado as a -21.5-underdog. USC is a -1600 favorite on the moneyline, while Colorado is a +850 underdog. The over/under is set at 73.5, meaning that the oddsmakers are expecting a wildly high-scoring affair. All lines are courtesy of BetMGM and are subject to change.
USC vs Colorado How to Watch
Date: September 30, 2023
Game Time: 10 am Mountain Time
Venue: Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado
How to Watch: FOX, which is available on FuboTV.
USC Record: 4-0
Colorado Record: 3-1
USC vs Colorado Key Players to Watch
USC
Caleb Williams: Even if you tried to focus on watching another player, you’d have no choice but to hear endless Heisman hype for reigning winner Caleb Williams. Mute the T.V., and you’re likely to still see several touchdowns from the dual-threat QB superstar.
Williams is inevitable, and this Buffaloes secondary, one missing its top two-way star and possibly one of its veteran leaders too, and one of the coach’s sons, is going to feel that inevitability in a profound way.
Marshawn Lloyd: Unfortunately, Colorado will be contending with more than just an elite passing attack when they host USC on September 30 — the Trojans also boast the No. 2 rusher in the Pac-12 through the first month of the season, Marshawn Lloyd.
The former South Carolina Gamecock could give a Buffs defense that was lit up for 242 rushing yards to Oregon endless fits when Williams isn’t.
Colorado
Cormani McClain: Much of the attention this week paid to the Colorado football program has been on the Coach Prime back-and-forth with 5-star offseason DB flip from Miami, Cormani McClain. In short, the situation has revolved around the latter not reaching the standards of the former.
Did the drama do good things for McClain’s mental, which has been questioned by the Buffs coach? Or will there be more dissent, leading to a possible departure in the offseason for the former Lakeland star?
Shedeur Sanders: You could list Shedeur Sanders every week in the “players to watch” section, but after his first sub-200 yard performance — which also happened to be his first sub-300 yard performance as well –, it’ll be interesting to see how he responds.
Heisman candidates can have one down week, but if Sanders struggles again against USC, those already-faded award hopes will be all but erased.
USC vs Colorado Prediction and Pick
Just like against Oregon in Week 4, this one likely won’t be close. There are too many key injuries to the secondary, and a 3-0 rise leading to a 0-2 stretch against two of the Pac-12’s best teams does make for great entertainment. Remember, everything the Buffs do has a camera recording it.
Lay the points for USC. Things will be different very soon…