2009 Rose Bowl Favorites: Trojans Action Heavy

Two long-time powers that could've easily met for the BCS title meet Thursday in the ‘Grandaddy of them All', the Rose Bowl.

The USC Trojans are hefty nine point favorites over the Penn State Nittany Lions out of the Big Ten, after beating Michigan and Illinois handily in the last two Rose Bowl games. This site has been a graveyard for the Big Ten, with a 10-19 ATS record in this meeting with the Pac-10.

Sportsbook.com  had all the latest betting odds.  

Sportsbook.com bettors are not fazed by the points Penn State is getting and 78 percent still back  USC to cover the large number.

Members obviously believe that the heralded USC defense that allowed just 7.7 points per game this season, will make life tough on a Penn State offense that averaged 40.2 points per game this season.

Another interesting factor is that Penn State is 0-10 ATS in road games vs. excellent defenses allowing 2.75 or less yards a carry. However, Head Coach Joe Paterno has had the magic touch in bowls with 21-10 ATS record.

Rose Bowl Series Trend: If familiarity has any impact on the outcome of the  '09 Rose Bowl game, it's advantage USC, as Pete Carroll's team is making its fifth appearance in this game in the last six years. They are 3-1 SU & ATS in the prior four. However, against the Big Ten, the Trojans are 4-0 SU & ATS in the Rose Bowl since '96, winning by 17.3 PPG. Overall, the Big Ten is 1-5 ATS in its last six trips to Pasadena. Four straight installments of the "Grandaddy of them all" have gone OVER.

Top ATS Trend

•                   PENN ST is 0-13 ATS (-14.3 Units) vs. incredible defensive teams who give up 12 or less points/game since 1992. The average score was PENN ST 17.4, OPPONENT 28.2 - (Rating = 6*)

Top Totals Trend

•                   PENN ST is 13-4 UNDER (+8.6 Units) vs. incredible offensive teams - scoring 37 or more points/game since 1992. The average score was PENN ST 22.3, OPPONENT 20.6 - (Rating = 1*)

Recent PENN STATE Bowl Game Trends

* PENN ST is on a strong run of 9-2 SU & 8-3 ATS in bowl games.

* Seven of the L8 PENN ST bowl games have gone UNDER the total.

* PENN ST has allowed just 14.5 PPG in its L12 bowl games.

Recent USC Bowl Game Trends

* USC is 4-1 SU & ATS in L5 Rose Bowl Game appearances.

* USC is 5-0 SU & ATS in L5 bowl games vs. Big Ten, winning by 18 PPG.

* The L4 USC bowl games have gone OVER the total, averaging 67.3 PPG.

StatFox Outplay Factor Ratings say: USC by 5