Emerald Bowl Betting

USC Trojans (8-4) vs. Boston College Eagles
Opening Line: Eagles +9 / Trojans -9
Time: 8 PM EST Saturday December 26, 2009 on ESPN

The USC Trojans face the Boston College Eagles in the Emerald Bowl played in San Francisco. The Trojans had played in 7 straight BCS Bowl games, but not this year, as they finished the season with 4 losses and they did not win the Pac 10. Will the Trojans be motivated for this game? The Trojans sputtered down the stretch losing 3 of their last 5 games including losing to Arizona in their season finale. BC won 3 of their last 4 games and is playing in a bowl game for the 11th straight year. The Trojans played a much tougher schedule facing 5 ranked teams this season (3-2), while the Eagles only played one ranked team and in that game Virginia Tech crushed them 48-14. This game will be held in San Francisco so the Trojans may have a bit of a home field advantage.

In their last game USC lost to the Arizona Wildcats 21-17 while Boston College beat Maryland 19-17.

The Trojans have the nation's 39th ranked offense led by freshman QB Matt Barkley and RB Joe McKnight (1,014 yds 8 TD). Barkley struggled in the game against Arizona and if he struggles in this game McKnight will be counted on to move the chains. Barkley does have some solid receivers and the Eagles' D have to keep them from making the big play down field. BC does have a legit defense ranking 26th in the nation and they are better at defending the pass than the run. If they can contain McNight and force Barkley to beat them in the air they have a chance to win this game. However, if McKnight has a big day the Trojans will win this game.

BC does not have a strong offense, as they rank 70th in rushing yards per game and 99th in passing yards per game. For them to win they will have to get a good effort from RB Montel Harris (1,355 yds 13 TD). The passing offense is led by freshman QB Dave Shinskie (1,831 yds 14 TD), but he will be pressured all game and the Eagles do not feature a strong passing attack. USC does have the nation's 42nd ranked defense, but they really played poor at the end of the season, as in their last 5 games they gave up an average of 28 points per game including giving up 47 to Oregon and 55 to Stanford. They struggled against teams with a great rushing offense (Oregon and Stanford) so the Eagles will have to run the ball well to have any chance in this game.

On paper the Trojans are a much better team and they are much more athletic. However, USC really struggled down the stretch, especially on defense, and since this is not a BCS game, which they are used to playing in, you have to wonder how fired up they will be for this non-marquee bowl.