Thu, Dec 28 2023
·
Postseason
·
Neutral Site
·
🏟 Petco Park
San Diego, CA
·
Turf
·
42,445 cap
Louisville✈ 1,798 mi-3 hr TZ
USC✈ 110 miSame TZ
Matchup Prediction
Louisville
has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor
Louisville entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
Louisville wins
Lean
Game Control
58.3%
Louisville wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
Louisville -4.5
O/U 58.0
Bovada
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Louisville
· 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
Louisville 2023 Schedule
Louisville's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 9/1 | Louisville vs Georgia Tech | -7.0W39–34 | 49.5 | W39–34 | O | N |
| Thu 9/7 | Louisville vs Murray State | -43.5W56–0 | 55.5 | W56–0 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/16 | Louisville vs Indiana | -10.0W21–14 | 51.0 | W21–14 | U | N |
| Sat 9/23 | Louisville vs Boston College | -14.0W56–28 | 53.0 | W56–28 | O | Y |
| Fri 9/29 | Louisville at NC State | -3.5W13–10 | 56.5 | W13–10 | U | N |
| Sat 10/7 | Louisville vs Notre Dame | +6.5W33–20 | 53.0 | W33–20 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/14 | Louisville at Pittsburgh | -7.5L21–38 | 44.5 | L21–38 | O | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/28 | Louisville vs Duke | -5.0W23–0 | 47.0 | W23–0 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/4 | Louisville vs Virginia Tech | -9.5W34–3 | 48.5 | W34–3 | U | Y |
| Thu 11/9 | Louisville vs Virginia | -20.5W31–24 | 49.5 | W31–24 | O | N |
| Sat 11/18 | Louisville at Miami | +1.5W38–31 | 46.5 | W38–31 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/25 | Louisville vs Kentucky | -7.5L31–38 | 47.5 | L31–38 | O | N |
| Sat 12/2 | Louisville vs Florida State | +3.5L6–16 | 51.0 | L6–16 | U | N |
| Wed 12/27 | Louisville vs USC | -4.5L28–42 | 58.0 | L28–42 | O | N |
USC 2023 Schedule
USC's 2023 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 8/26 | USC vs San José State | -31.5W56–28 | 66.0 | W56–28 | O | N |
| Sat 9/2 | USC vs Nevada | -37.5W66–14 | 63.5 | W66–14 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/9 | USC vs Stanford | -28.5W56–10 | 70.5 | W56–10 | U | Y |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/23 | USC at Arizona State | -34.5W42–28 | 62.0 | W42–28 | O | N |
| Sat 9/30 | USC at Colorado | -22.0W48–41 | 74.5 | W48–41 | O | N |
| Sat 10/7 | USC vs Arizona | -21.0W43–41 | 69.5 | W43–41 | O | N |
| Sat 10/14 | USC at Notre Dame | +3.0L20–48 | 61.0 | L20–48 | O | N |
| Sat 10/21 | USC vs Utah | -7.5L32–34 | 51.5 | L32–34 | O | N |
| Sat 10/28 | USC at California | -10.5W50–49 | 67.5 | W50–49 | O | N |
| Sat 11/4 | USC vs Washington | +3.0L42–52 | 76.0 | L42–52 | O | N |
| Sat 11/11 | USC at Oregon | +12.5L27–36 | 78.5 | L27–36 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/18 | USC vs UCLA | -6.0L20–38 | 65.5 | L20–38 | U | N |
| Wed 12/27 | USC vs Louisville | +4.5W42–28 | 58.0 | W42–28 | O | Y |
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) ·
2023 season
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Louisville
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2023 season ·
Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences
Who builds scoring momentum?
Louisville Edge
Louisville +0.50
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 12 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance
Who controls games start to finish?
Louisville Edge
Louisville +10.6
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.3% of games historically
Based on 12 games this season
Actual Result
CSS Battle
USC
2 — 0 sequences
✗ Predicted incorrectly
GC Battle
USC
64.0 — 14.8 GC score
✗ Predicted incorrectly
Game Result
USC won by 14
✗ Model missed it
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season
Both metrics agree on Louisville. Teams with this edge profile have covered 50.3% historically — essentially a coin flip against the spread.
ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.
Coaching Matchup
Louisville
Jeff Brohm #1
3–0 (100%)
· Yr 1 at school
OC
Brian Brohm
Yr 1
#1
DC
Ron English
Yr 1
#1
USC
Lincoln Riley #1
14–3 (82%)
· Yr 2 at school
OC
Josh Henson
Yr 2
#1
DC
Alex Grinch
Yr 2
#1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games. ✓
Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set. ✗
Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself ✓