USC vs. Louisville: Odds and how to watch the 2023 Holiday Bowl
Two-thirds of the Pac-12 teams are bowl-eligible in 2023, including the USC Trojans (7-5). A year after losing the Cotton Bowl to Tulane, the Trojans won their first six games in a row to earn bowl eligibility as early as possible and will play in the Holiday Bowl this season.
The Trojans' 6-0 start preceded a rough second half of the regular season. USC's 48-20 loss on the road to No. 16 Notre Dame in Week 7 was the first tough loss for the Trojans. Subsequent losses to Utah on a last-second field goal, Pac-12 championship game teams No. 2 Washington and No. 8 Oregon, and a 38-20 loss to rival UCLA in the regular season finale made for a disappointing second year under coach Lincoln Riley.
On the other side of the Holiday Bowl, Louisville was one of the surprises of the 2023 season. The No. 15 Cardinals (10-3) won five straight to open the season and then knocked off Notre Dame in Week 6 for one of the most impressive wins of the season. A surprise loss to Pitt a week later put a big damper on the Cardinals' playoff hopes but Louisville responded with four straight wins.
A loss to Kentucky in the Governor's Cup all but ended the Cardinals' College Football Playoff hopes. A 16-6 loss to No. 4 Florida State in the ACC title game and the Seminoles being kept out of the playoff ensured Louisville wouldn't make the Orange Bowl. Instead, they're heading to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
Despite decades of history, the Holiday Bowl is the first time USC and Louisville will meet in college football. This is Louisville's first appearance in this game and USC's fourth.
Holiday Bowl: Louisville vs. USC: odds, betting lines
The Louisville Cardinals are favorites to defeat the USC Trojans, according to the BetMGM College Football odds.
Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2023.
Spread: Louisville (-7.5)
Moneyline: Louisville (-300); USC (+240)
Over/under: 57.5
Holiday Bowl: Louisville vs. USC: TV channel, Streaming
The Holiday Bowl is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m., ET, on December 27, 2023, and will be airing on FOX and the FOX Sports app.
How to watch: Catch Bowl game action with an ESPN+ subscription.
The detail is strong with this one.
Kick-off December 27 with the Port of San Diego Game Day 5K followed by the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente!
Register for the 5K: https://t.co/n6xUOVisbY
Parade Grandstand Seats: https://t.co/2oNpVnvbdF pic.twitter.com/gvC9mNKNph— DIRECTV Holiday Bowl (@DIRECTV_HB) December 14, 2023
Louisville and USC are coming to San Diego for the 2023 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl on December 27 at Petco Park!
Catch the biggest college football games – now without a satellite on @DIRECTV #DIRECTVPartner #adhttps://t.co/y7ixEKeLw6 pic.twitter.com/EZTf0rR9T9— DIRECTV Holiday Bowl (@DIRECTV_HB) December 5, 2023
2023 bowl game schedule
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2023 Holiday Bowl: USC-Louisville odds, how to watch
