USC Trojans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, 9/19/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: USC Trojans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ

TV: CBS

Odds/Point Spread: Scarlet Knights (+23.5)

Total/Over-Under: 59

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-2) welcome the USC Trojans (3-0) at SHI Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Rutgers opens this game as 23.5-point dogs. The over/under is set at 59.

The USC Trojans head into this matchup 3-0 for this year. In their last contest, the Trojans faced the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and walked away with a win by a score of 49-30. Against the run, the Trojans conceded 146 yards on 30 attempts, which is an average of 4.9 yards per run allowed. USC allowed 16 completions on 22 attempts for 212 yards, and a completion percentage of 72.7%. Once the final whistle blew, they had 71 plays for 483 yds. The USC Trojans ended up running the ball 40 different times and accumulated 214 yards, which earned them an average of 5.4 yards per attempt.

The Trojans have tallied 1,540 total yards for the year. In terms of notching touchdowns, USC has earned 10 passing touchdowns and 7 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the football over 4 times. USC has accounted for 81 first downs as a unit, and they have been hurt by 18 penalties for 156 yds. As a team they're averaging 172.7 yards rushing ranking this team at 67th in the country. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the USC Trojans are sitting at 43.3 points per game.

Regarding yards through the air, the Trojans have allowed 523 yds which has them sitting in 113th in the nation. They are conceding 174.3 yards per contest through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 63.9%. For the year, they are conceding 270.0 yards/game ranking them 43rd in D-1. They have surrendered 3 touchdowns through the air and 4 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.5 yards per rush and 95.7 yards on the ground per game for the year. In total, they have conceded 287 yards via the ground game in 3 games. The Trojans rank 62nd in D-1 concerning the opposition scoring, conceding 18.7 PPG.

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The Scarlet Knights head into this game 0-2 this season. When they last played, the Scarlet Knights took a loss by a final score of 28-21 when they faced the Boston College Eagles. Rutgers rushed the ball for 3.8 yards per carry, finishing with a total of 154 yds on 41 attempts. The Scarlet Knights finished with 384 yds and they ran 68 plays (5.6 yds per play). The Scarlet Knights pass defense conceded a completion rate of 62.1%, relinquishing 252 yds on 18 out of 29 through the air. Rutgers surrendered 32 run attempts for 150 yards (4.7 yards per rush).

In relation to putting points on the board, the Scarlet Knights are sitting 112th in Division 1 holding an average of 21.0 points per game. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are averaging 365.0 yards per game, which has them sitting 96th in college football. The Rutgers offense has racked up 74 yards of penalties on 12 violations, which is good for 92nd in the nation in terms of making mistakes. They have given away 7 interceptions while losing 1 fumble and they have recorded 37 1st downs. Over the course of the season so far, the Scarlet Knights have earned 549 passing yards in addition to an average of 274.5 passing yards per outing, which has them sitting 40th in Division 1. They hold an average of 90.5 yards per game on the ground and have rushed for 181 yards for the season.

Rutgers has surrendered a total of 350 yards via the ground game (175.0 yards per contest) and 3 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the campaign. They have given up 4 touchdowns through the air in addition to 224.5 yards/game, ranking them 95th in the nation. They have compiled 1 fumble recovery and 2 interceptions on the campaign. The Scarlet Knights defense has taken part in 124 plays, which is good for 59th in the country. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 32.5 points per contest, which puts them 122nd in D-1.

Who will win tonight's Trojans/Scarlet Knights college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Trojans -23.5

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