2019 Holiday Bowl Iowa vs USC Free Pick

On Friday December 27, 2019 at 8:00 pm EST, the Iowa Hawkeyes will face the USC Trojans in a night-time grid iron match-up called the Holiday Bowl. Iowa is favored -2 points and the total is 52 points. Action is balanced on this game as far as the betting public is concerned.

Iowa compiled a very respectable 9-3 record and was one of the better teams in the Big Ten this season. They were just 5-7 against the spread. Offensively they lay down 23 PPG but mainly beat teams with their defensive capability by allowing only 13 PPG.

They pass for 230 yards per game and rush for 140 YPG. Iowa finished the season beating Nebraska 27-24 and ended up being ranked #16 in the nation. They allow the 5th fewest points per game in the country.

USC surprised many by going 8-4. After last year’s 5-7 season head coach Clay Helton was on the hot-seat all year. Even with a decent season this year, one major publication printed that USC had fired its head coach. They later had to print a retraction. The team was able to end on a high note beating Chip Kelly’s UCLA team and winning their last three games.

The Trojans average 33 PPG on offense and allow 27 PPG. The are +0.5 in the turnover department. Not having a turnover deficit has definitely contributed to their success. The USC attack is passing oriented.  QB Kedon Slovis has passed for 3,242 and 29 TD’s this season on 70% passing.

Trends

USC and Iowa have bot gone 5-1 SU in their last 6.

Southern California is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games.

Conclusion

The Hawkeyes lost to Penn State and Michigan, both good passing teams. USC is going to throw the hell out of the ball. If they don’t then the head coach really does need to be fired. If USC can get 300 yards through the air (or close to that number) then USC wins the game.

It is important to remember that this game will be played at Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego) which means this is much more of a home game for USC than Iowa. I think the USC air attack may be too much for the Hawkeyes and the Trojans pull out the win straight up. If you like this pick, you can bet it at one of the top rated sportsbooks online.