The USC Trojans are set to face the California Golden Bears this weekend. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our USC-California prediction, odds, and pick.

This is a game being made up from its originally scheduled date on Nov. 13. There was a COVID-19 complication involving the California football program, as college football odds analysts know well. USC wanted to play this game, however, to give the program a chance of making a bowl game. Now that USC has slipped to a 4-7 record following a loss to BYU last week, that bowl dream likely won't materialize. Nevertheless, Cal and USC — two longtime foes who regularly played each other for a very long time, did not play last year due to the pandemic and the fact that they exist in separate divisions of the Pac-12. USC is in the South, California in the North. The teams wanted to play this year, so that's why they are rounding out the year in a game which will start after 8 p.m. local time in Berkeley to cap this final full-length college football Saturday of the 2021 regular season. It's an interesting twist for anyone making a USC California prediction.

USC has had a miserable season, but the Trojans actually looked very good in the second half against BYU. Down 28-13 early in the half, the Trojans rallied and took a late lead before BYU drove down the field for a winning touchdown in a 35-31 game. USC finally showed some spine and backbone after a season in which it had been allowing over 40 points to most of its home-field opponents at the Los Angeles Coliseum. USC gave up over 40 points to Utah, Stanford, and Oregon State. It then allowed 62 points to UCLA, the first time in the history of the USC-UCLA rivalry that the Bruins scored more than 60 points. USC bounced back to play a solid game against BYU, reminding everyone that some talent does reside on the Trojans' roster. USC will try to finish its season with a win and prepare for its first offseason with Lincoln Riley as head coach. The former Oklahoma coach stunned the college football world by taking the USC job and getting right to work recruiting on Sunday night, hours after being hired.

California has had a brutal season under head coach Justin Wilcox. The Golden Bears have been dealing with injuries, and that is something which has to be factored into a USC California pick. On the offensive line and on defense, California has not been playing with a full deck. Everything has been stacked against Wilcox, who has not been able to find answers. Cal did at least thump Stanford, the highlight of the Bears' season, but other than that, not much has gone right in Berkeley in 2021. This team will be relieved to move to the offseason and gear up for what it hopes will be a better 2022.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:

College Football odds: USC-California Odds

USC: +4.5 (-114)

California: -4.5 (-106)

Over: 57.5 (-112)

Under: 57.5 (-108)

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Why USC Could Cover the Spread

The Trojans have the better talent. Quarterback Jaxson Dart played well against BYU. If he plays well in this game, USC has to love its chances. Keep that in mind when making a USC California prediction.

Why California Could Cover the Spread

The Bears could take advantage of a USC team which might have used up its emotional fuel tank against BYU and might not have anything left for this unexpected late-season road trip, three weeks later than originally scheduled.

Final USC-California Prediction & Pick

The weird circumstances surrounding this game make it a contest you should probably stay away from as a bettor. The fact that USC is getting points, however, makes the Trojans the easier team to bet on if you absolutely must make a USC California prediction.

Final USC-California Pick: USC +4.5