The college football bowl season is going to continue this week, and we are starting to see some of the best matchups on the schedule. On Wednesday night it will be the Louisville Cardinals taking on the USC Trojans in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl in San Diego, CA.
Louisville is coming into this game with an overall record of 10-3, but the Cardinals also dropped their final two games. This Louisville team was in the ACC Championship Game, but ultimately couldn’t get past the Florida State Seminoles.
USC suffered four losses in their last five games, and they went just 7-5 during the regular season. The Trojans were expected to be one of the top contenders in the Pac-12 Conference this season, but they just weren’t able to play with any consistency.
Louisville is coming into this game as a seven-point betting favorite in the Holiday Bowl.
Cardinals Can Really Defend
The Louisville Cardinals were able to win games in many different ways this season, but this team really wants to set the tone on defense. Louisville held some really good opponents to a low number this season, including allowing just 16 points to Florida State.
This Cardinals team can also put points on the board in a hurry, and that will allow them to get some separation in this game. Louisville struggled to score in the ACC Championship Game, but they aren’t facing a good defense in this one.
Quarterback Jack Plummer is having a big season for the Cardinals as he has thrown for 3,063 yards this season. Plummer will be able to hit on some big plays in this matchup against a bad secondary.
Trojans Will Struggle to Score
The overall numbers show that USC averaged 41.7 points per game this season, but those numbers were trending in the wrong direction. USC has struggled against some of the top defenses, and that was with Caleb Williams on the field.
Williams threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, but he is not going to be playing in this game. The Trojans were not a good running team this season, and that is going to create issues against Louisville.
USC gave up at least 32 points in five straight games, and that is a big reason why this team is struggling to win games. The Trojans are not going to be able to slow down a talented Louisville team in this matchup.
Louisville Blows Past USC
The USC Trojans were not playing good football at the end of the regular season, and they are now without their best player. Don’t expect the Trojans to do much on offense in this game, and they can’t keep things close.
Louisville is going to set the tone on defense in this game, but that offense should have a big game as well. The Cardinals are going to find some holes in that secondary, and then the defense will simply shut things down.
Bet on the Louisville Cardinals at -7.0 as they are going to roll to a blowout win over the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl.
