The top two teams in the Pac-12 will meet for a primetime showdown at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum this evening as the No. 5 Washington Huskies hit the road to battle the No. 20 USC Trojans. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air nationally on ABC.
Washington (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12) picked up another conference victory last Saturday, taking down Stanford in a 42-33 victory. This was a tight, two-score contest deep into the fourth quarter before Huskies running back Dillon Johnson broke off a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:36 left to seal the win. Current Heisman Trophy frontrunner Michael Penix Jr. went 21-37 for 369 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in the win.
USC (7-2, 5-1 Pac-12) narrowly avoided its third straight loss last Saturday, edging Cal in a 50-49 shootout. Things were teetering towards total disaster for the Trojans as they found themselves trailing by two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter. Putting a touchdown on the board to pull within one score, they capitalized on a muffed punt by punching in another touchdown to tie the game. After taking the lead on an Austin Jones touchdown late in the fourth, the much-maligned USC gave up a touchdown in the final minute. However, they were able to bat down Cal’s two-point conversion attempt to escape. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a pair of scores in the win.
SP+ Rankings
Washington: 7 overall, 4 offense, 32 defense
USC: 14 overall, 1 offense, 71 defense
Injury update
Washington
WR Giles Jackson – Questionable (Ankle)
WR Jalen McMillan – Questionable (Leg)
USC
S Zion Branch – Out for season (Knee)
ATS/Total
Against The Spread in 2023
Washington: 3-4-1 ATS
USC: 2-7 ATS
Total in 2023
Washington: Over 4-4
USC: Over 8-1
Team Pace
Washington: 2.21 plays per minute of offense
USC: 2.29 plays per minute of offense
Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Washington -3
Total: 77
Moneyline: Washington -155, USC +130
Opening line: Washington -3
Opening total: 76
Weather (Kickoff in afternoon on West Coast)
78 degrees, partly sunny, 7 MPH WSW
Our Best Bet for Washington vs. USC
USC +3
This game has the potential to be a fireworks show in the Coliseum and it’s nice that this big-time Pac-12 showdown will have a national audience on ABC.
Washington has been a really fun team to watch with Michael Penix Jr., but let me point some things out. The Huskies have been outgained on offense in each of their last three games and their turnover margin in that span is -6 (seven turnovers vs. just one takeaway). In fact, their turnover margin is -3 for the season. When you’re getting into a potential gun fight with the reigning Heisman winner on the run, you cannot afford to make many mistakes. Yes, the USC defense under Alex Grinch is still poor, but I think the Trojans will assert themselves and capitalize on UW mistakes to win here.