USC Trojans vs. Maryland Terrapins Prediction: USC Wins First Road Test?

The USC Trojans will travel across the country take on the Maryland Terrapins Saturday afternoon. Can the Trojans finally win a road game in 2024?

Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Miller Moss (7) looks to throw a pass in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The USC Trojans travel to College Park, Maryland, for a date with the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT on FS1. Both the Trojans and Terrapins are reeling heading into Saturday’s matchup. 

After a nice 2-0 start to the season, USC has lost three of their last four games. The Trojans are 1-3 in Big Ten conference and 3-3 overall. They are 0-2 in road games to the Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers. 

Maryland is 0-3 in Big Ten play and 3-3 overall. They have suffered losses to Michigan State, Indiana, and Northwestern. 

USC vs. Maryland Odds

The Trojans enter Saturday’s matchup as a seven-point road favorite over Maryland. The over/under is set at 57 points.

USC has been favored in their previous two road games. These were games both lost by the Trojans in the final minutes. Losing late has been a theme for the 2024 Trojans. In all three of their losses at Michigan, at Minnesota, and vs. Penn State, USC had a fourth-quarter lead.

Maryland fans probably don’t care about betting odds for their game at this points. Maryland was over a touchdown favorite against each Michigan State and Northwestern, but lost both games outright at home.

USC vs. Maryland Preview

Oct 11, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) leaps over Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Xander Mueller (34) as defensive back Robert Fitzgerald (6) defends during the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Trojans a 66.1 percent chance to win at Maryland. 

USC has not won a road game in 2024 and Maryland has not won a Big Ten conference game in 2024. Something’s got to give, so why is the FPI looking at USC so favorably?

The Trojans have put themselves in a position to win every game this season. They have not been able to finish half of these games and it has cost them. Trojans quarterback Miller Moss has played well but costly turnovers have burnt the Trojans. 

Maryland has lost their last two games, each by double figures. Two games ago, the Terrapins lost 42-28 on the road against the 2-3 Northwestern Wildcats. They got blasted at home by Northwestern 37-10. 

The big question is if the Trojans can shake off another devastating close loss and finally win a road game.

USC vs. Maryland Score Prediction

The USC Trojans have been better than what their 3-3 record would indicate. However, their inability to close games has essentially wiped away any chance at a College Football Playoff berth or Big Ten title game appearance. Now for USC, it’s about finishing games and stacking up as many wins to get a good bowl game.

Are the blown leads getting in their head? Time will tell. USC gets back track with a win and cover over Maryland on Saturday.

USC 30, Maryland 20

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