WASHINGTON AT USC: WHO HAS EDGE?
NO. 5 WASHINGTON (8-0, 5-0)
AT NO. 20 USC (7-2, 5-1)
When: 4:30 p.m., today
Where: Coliseum
TV/radio: Ch. 7 /790 AM
Line: Washington by 3
Notable injuries: WASHINGTON: QUESTIONABLE: WR Giles Jackson (ankle), WR Jalen McMillan (leg)
What’s at stake: This, in many ways, may be USC's last gasp, the showdown between Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. that could shatter all conceivable passing-game figures and was circled as a potential Heisman decider preseason. Williams has largely been an afterthought in a quest to go back-to-back for the Heisman after a rough stretch for USC, but a vintage Superman performance to beat Washington could elevate him right back in the mix. It's an individual matchup, a microcosm of the bigger picture. If USC — against all momentum of a sinking ship of a season — manages to outgun Washington, it can vault back into the mix as a serious contender for a Pac-12 championship.
Who’s better: This would've been an easier question about two weeks ago, when USC's mudslide began and Washington was coming off a gritty win over Oregon. But the Huskies have quietly underwhelmed recently, one of the nation's top offenses put in molasses by Arizona State and Stanford hanging 33 points on Washington's defense. All in all, though, the Huskies have shown a slightly more consistent defensive unit, which gives them a slim edge here.
Matchup to watch: USC cornerback Christian RolandWallace vs. Washington wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja'lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. Riley called Roland-Wallace “invaluable” this week, and it's true — he's been far and away the Trojans' best corner since transferring from Arizona, allowing just 17catches on 40targets this year, according to Pro Football Focus. The Trojans will need him like never before today, facing a wide receiver tandem that has blown the top off opposing secondaries, and will also need strong games from safety Calen Bullock and nickel Jaylin Smith in pass coverage amid an injury-depleted group.
USC wins if: The defensive line can generate consistent pressure on Penix Jr. With a clean pocket, particularly on play-action attempts, the lefty has torched opposing defenses, and USC's secondary has little hope if he's given ample time and space to dish.
Prediction: Washington 49, USC 41. Should be a barnburner, and USC will give the Huskies a run, but there's simply been too much turmoil within defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's unit to predict a win for the Trojans here.