USC Trojans @ Hawaii Warriors: Week 1 Pick & Preview

Those who have followed my work over the years know that I’m not real big on betting the Trojans to cover. I often do a good job of searching out value bets against top programs, and going against USC has been good for me over the years. But not this time. Even playing in Hawaii, in the first week of a new season, under a new coach, after all the sanctions and problems and graduations and former players headed toward NFL paychecks – this is still going to be a blowout.

Don’t get it twisted, the sanctions imposed on USC won’t destroy their talent base. Year in and year out, the Trojans stockpile talent as well as any team in college football. They may have lost Pete Carrol, sure, but it’s not like Lane Kiffin lacks the ability to recruit. This guy was pulling in 5-star skill players five-minutes into his hiring at Tennessee. He’s a salesman, no doubt about it. And while I wouldn’t want my kid to play for that snake, there are plenty of elite players headed to USC after Lane ran his pitch.

I know Hawaii should be a little better this season, but they were destroyed by any “good” team on their schedule last season. Fresno State (42-17), Boise State (54-9), and Wisconsin (51-10) all had their way with the Warriors, a team that hasn’t been the same since June Jones sailed off into the horizon. USC returns a very good young quarterback, a case of elite physical studs on both sides of the ball, and a coaching staff that knows what they’re doing. I hope the Warriors can slam the door on Lane’s first win at USC, but I don’t think this one will be even close. Take the Trojans by three touchdowns.

#14 USC Trojans (-21) @ Hawaii Warriors