Rutgers Football Opens as 25.5 Point Underdogs vs No.12 USC

In the first matchup of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights' football season, they faced off against the No.12 USC Trojans, starting as 25.5-point underdogs. The game, which took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA, had an over/under total of 58.5 points. The Scarlet Knights' inconsistent performance, including issues with their quarterback, offensive line, and defense, made it challenging for them to compete against USC.

USC, on the other hand, had a strong showing in their previous games, with quarterback Jayden Maiava tossing for 261 yards and five touchdowns. Their running back, King Miller, and running game, led by Mark Bowman, also contributed significantly. Despite USC's strong defense, which failed to keep scores low against Louisiana and San Diego State, the matchup against Rutgers seemed daunting.

Both teams have featured quarterbacks that led their respective offenses in both passing and rushing yards. Given the recent struggles of the Scarlet Knights, it appeared unlikely that they could cover the spread. The game was scheduled to kick off on Saturday, September 19 at 3:30 p.m. at SHI Stadium and was broadcast live on CBS.