USC vs. UCLA betting odds: Trojans 2-point favorites heading into Pac-12 football rivalry

Will the Trojans' defense rise to the occasion?

To no one's surprise, the oddsmakers are expecting a close, high-scoring game when USC and UCLA meet on Saturday with a berth in the Pac-12 football championship game on the line. 

The Trojans are two-point favorites over the host Bruins, and the over-under is 76.5.

Last year, UCLA ran away with a 62-33 victory. But the Trojans have a new coaching staff, a new quarterback and an overhauled roster. The biggest question mark for USC: will their defense be able to stop UCLA?

In the three games before walloping lowly Colorado, the Trojans gave up 35 (Cal), 37 (Arizona) and 43 (Utah) points. The Bruins have a more explosive offense than all three of those teams.

The return of linebacker Eric Gentry should help the Trojans on Saturday. But they will need their defense to play at a much higher level to beat UCLA and earn a berth in the Pac-12 championship game.

Here's a look at the betting odds for USC vs. UCLA:

No. 7 USC vs. No. 16 UCLA

When: 5 p.m. Saturday (FOX)

Where: Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Records: USC (9-1, 7-1), Washington State (8-2, 5-2)

Betting odds per SI Sportsbook: USC -2; Over/under 76.5