The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns take on the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, CA. Kickoff is set for 11 p.m. ET on BTN.
USC is favored by -31.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -10000. The total is set at 60.5 points.
Here’s my Louisiana vs. USC prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Louisiana vs USC Prediction
- Louisiana vs. USC Pick: USC 1H Team Total Over 26.5
My USC vs. Louisiana best bet is on USC to go over their team total in the first half. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Louisiana vs USC Odds
| Louisiana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+31.5 -118 | 59.5 -108o / -112u | +2800 |
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-31.5 -104 | 59.5 -108o / -112u | -10000 |
- Louisiana vs USC point spread: USC -31.5 (-105 ), Louisiana +31.5 (-115)
- Louisiana vs USC over/under: 60.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Louisiana vs USC moneyline: Louisiana +2500, USC -10000
Louisiana vs USC College Football Preview
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Betting Preview
Louisiana couldn't have asked for a much better start to the season, cruising past Lamar 38-7 in its opener. The Ragin' Cajuns held Lamar to 205 total yards and 1.9 yards per carry while forcing four turnovers. I'm willing to sell that defensive performance, as I do not put any stock in Lamar’s offense.
Lamar is an FCS opponent, and Louisiana's underlying defensive profile entering this season was far from impressive. The defense should be better, but I do not expect a massive jump from last year.
The Ragin' Cajuns finished 117th nationally in Adjusted EPA per Play defensively last season, while ranking 128th in Success Rate margin and 113th in Available Yards margin, according to Game on Paper.
That's a pretty scary profile heading into the Coliseum. There were also some cracks despite the dominant box score against Lamar.
Louisiana allowed the Cardinals to convert 53.8% of their third downs, which currently ranks 122nd nationally. It’s a small sample size, but I still think that is discouraging heading into the matchup.
Extending drives against Lincoln Riley's offense is generally a bad idea, so I expect the Trojans to move the ball at will here.
USC Trojans Betting Preview
USC has been absolutely humming offensively through two games. The Trojans are averaging 528.5 yards per game and have completed an absurd 88.1% of their passes for 753 yards and five touchdowns.
QB Jayden Maiava has been nearly flawless. He's completed 48-of-54 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception. Trent Mosley has quickly emerged as his favorite weapon with 222 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The efficiency numbers are even more impressive. USC has converted 66.7% of its third downs and scored touchdowns on 10 of its 13 red-zone possessions.
Most importantly for this handicap, the Trojans have been starting fast. USC has outscored its first two opponents 58-0 in the first half, including a ridiculous 44-0 margin in the second quarter.
The Trojans have also controlled possession for over 38 minutes per game while punting just twice all season. I expect them to have the same type of aggression.
Louisiana vs USC Pick, Betting Analysis
I'm not interested in laying a massive full-game number and sweating USC's backups in the fourth quarter. Give me the first-half team total instead.
USC needs four touchdowns to clear 26.5, and this offense has already shown it's capable of getting there before halftime.
Louisiana's 38-7 win over Lamar makes its defense look great on paper, but this is an enormous jump in competition. This is a massive jump in competition against an extremely experienced QB.
Last season, the Ragin' Cajuns were 117th in Adjusted EPA per Play defensively last season, while USC finished 14th nationally in overall Adjusted EPA per Play.
The injury situation also favors USC's ability to dominate possession. Louisiana will be without wide receivers Shelton Sampson Jr. and Landon Strother, as well as tight end Caden Jensen. That takes multiple weapons away from an offense that needs to sustain drives and keep Maiava on the sideline.
If Louisiana can't do that, possessions could pile up quickly. USC has scored 58 first-half points through two games, and this is their last cupcake before their actual schedule begins.
I don't think the Ragin' Cajuns are the defense that slows them down. Give me four first-half touchdowns from the Trojans before they let off the gas for the rest of the evening.
Pick: USC 1H Team Total Over 26.5
