After coming off close losses, #18 USC (3-1) and Washington (3-1) are looking to get back into the win column. USC drops the first thriller against #20 Oregon, 41-27, while the Huskies’ 27-24 loss to Minnesota went under the radar due to the game starting at 11 PM Eastern. What is supposed to be a top 25 matchup is now the one that will decide which one of these teams will remain in the rankings after Week 5.
USC put in a momentary 27 points against Oregon after four lines of at least 39. The Trojans were a miserable 2-for-11 on third downs ( ), but they converted four of five quarters (80%). The Trojans were outgained, 504-446, and allowed 10.6 yards per pass.
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USC hasn’t lost back-to-back games since a three-game losing streak ended in October, 2024 — a streak that spanned 26 games. Washington won the previous meeting against USC back in 2024 by 20 and 20. Washington hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2024, a stretch of 18 games.
The Huskies defense allowed a season-high 27 points to Minnesota which dropped to 33rd nationally with 16.7 points allowed per game. Washington has a top-25 third-down defense (28.8%) and held Minnesota to 4-of-14. On the flip side, Washington went 1-of-10 on third downs and managed a season-low 279 yards and 40 yards rushing. The Huskies averaged 1.5 yards per carry and turned the ball over twice with interceptions.
Let’s take a look at the schools from here and there, take a look at a few key players, and see where the numbers take us.
Game Details and How to Watch USC vs Washington
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Site: Los Angeles Memorial Stadium
TV/Streaming: Peacock | NBC
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Game Odds for USC vs. Washington
Some odds to come courtesy of Friday DraftKings:
Moneyline: USC Trojans (-360), Washington Huskies (+285)
#18 USC Trojans
Chief Officer: Leo Lincoln
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Offensive Points Per Game: 39.8 (25th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 26.4 (101st)
2016 Strength of CNN: 59th
2016 Remaining Strength schedule: 72nd
USC Trojans offense;
So far the offense has undoubtedly had a hard time stopping this team’s strengths as a defense. Troy’s offense is one of the fiercest with 12 fourth down attempts, the ninth-most in the country. USC put up 446 yards of offense against Oregon and ran for 100-plus yards for the seventh straight game last year. No matter how much Leo of Lincoln trying to set up a run, this runs through the offense Jayden Maiava as he recounts the successful days of Troy.
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USC player to watch on offense: QB Jayden Maiava
The Heisman trophy case probably went out the window following the loss to Oregon, but if Jayden Maiava believes there is still a path to play and make a run for the Heisman trophy, this is a must-win. Maiava had his second game with an interception this season and recorded his last completion (54.8%) last week. Maiava has never played in Washington and will look to keep the Huskies’ five-game streak of two-plus touchdown passes alive.
USC Trojans defense:
USC’s defense gave up over 500 yards of offense to Oregon and over 10 rushing yards. Troes two adversaries; Dante Moore and Dylan Raiolahitting Moore out of a dirty game. Even with the advantage, USC couldn’t slow down Oregon’s offense. USC allowed Oregon to score a touchdown on four of its first five drives of the second half, plus three scoring drives on its first four possessions of the game! USC was fired up all over the field in Saturday’s loss.
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USC player to watch on defense: DB Kennedy Urlacher
Kennedy Urlacher The son of Hall of Famer Brian Urclacher had four tackles against Oregon and four against Rutgers over the last two games. Urlacher grabbed two sacks, was forced and fumbled during the recovery. Each week you can see the confidence in Urlacher growing as he continues to be a difference maker for this defense.
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Washington Huskies
Head Coach: Jedd Fisch
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Offensive Points Per Game: 28.0 (T-84th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 16.7 (33rd)
2016 Schedule Strength: 131st
2016 Residual Strength of Morbi CNN: 12th
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The Washington Huskies Offense:
Washington’s offense turned the ball over twice against Minnesota, turned it over on a third down, ran for 40 yards and lost nearly 13 minutes of possession. The Huskies couldn’t get anything going offensively either in the morning or the half (scoreless in 1Q, 3Q). Demon Williams Jr. After two interceptions, he will rebound and wait for a timeout, but the running backs will need to step up against a deflated USC defense.
Washington Player to Watch on Offense: QB Demond Williams Jr
The recent start of his worst season; Demon Williams Jr. USC’s defense will take advantage of that. The Trojans ranked 115th in PFF rankings and the Huskies passing attack ranked 56th with a 49th-best pass rush. Williams was sacked a career-high seven times last week against Minnesota and USC ranks 9th in pressure rate. It will be another long day for Williams if the offense doesn’t clean up the defense and throw time to improve.
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The Munich Huskies defense:
Washington’s defense did not allow more than 16 points until the loss to Minnesota. The Huskies defense totaled 330 yards, forced one turnover, and held Minnesota to 4-of-14 third downs. The Huskies have the third highest passing defense (28.8%) and 289.2 yards per game (34th). However, Washington has only played the 131st-ranked power of the schedule, so this is another test that speaks volumes about how good Washington’s defense is.
Washington Player to watch on Defense: DB Alex McLaughlin
Alex McLaughlin tied for the team lead with 24 tackles after a three-day low against Minnesota. McLaughlin leads the team in sacks (2.0), pass deflections (2.0), interceptions (2.0), and fumbles forced (1). McLaughlin led the team with 94 tackles last year, leading the team with 24 tackles, and had two interceptions, one for a touchdown.
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USC and Washington Stats, Bet Trends
USC is 1-4 ATS on the season and 4-1 at Plus
Washington is 0-4 ATS this season tied for worst
Washington is 2-2 overall
Washington has won the last three meetings with USC
Washington is 4-1 in the last five vs. USC
Washington is 3-1 in its last four on the road at USC
USC is 12-12 ATS at home since 2023
USC is 11-9 ATS as a home favorite since 2013 and 12-8 at Plus
Washington is 4-8 ATS as an underdog since 2013
Washington is 1-5 ATS as a road underdog since 2013
Washington is 9-6 to the Under as the road team since 2023
Rotoworld’s best bets
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) based on the first quarter Plus 13.5 Points:
“When we look at the lines in this game, the market believes that the first half is higher soft than the second half, especially the first quarter which is priced at -130 to Over. The first half is 30.5, but the total game is 58.5. Both USC and Washington did not score a single point in the first half, but they gave the last points of the game. In the second half, both USC and Washington scored 10 points to have better and the first teams from two points usc and Washington. matchups in this game.”
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