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USC Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans scores a 27-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 01: Nelson Agholor #15 of the USC Trojans returns the ball for a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at Martin Stadium on November 1, 2014 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA – NOVEMBER 01: Nelson Agholor #15 of the USC Trojans returns the ball for a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars in the first quarter at Martin Stadium on November 1, 2014 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

USC takes on the Washington State Cougars for the first time since 2014, when the Trojans won by the score of 44-17 in Luke Falk’s first year as a starting quarterback. Falk returns for his last season with Wazzu to try and unseat USC as the favorite in the Pac-12.

The Trojans carry a top-three ranking into this game with another tough opponent from the Pac-12 North. Wazzu also carries a top-25 ranking into this matchup with key victories over teams like the Boise State Broncos and Oregon State Beavers.

Sam Darnold faces his best adversary of the season as Falk is also one of the best quarterbacks in the conference. Still the Heisman favorite at this point, Darnold has thrown for 12 touchdowns and only has two interceptions through four games.

Ronald Jones II has a tough time finding running room against the Cougars. Aca’Cedric Ware has a better game with 80 rushing yards and one touchdown. Yet, Darnold has better luck than both running backs altogether. Darnold throws for three touchdowns in the first half, and more than 250 yards.

Tight end Tyler Petite has the best game of his career with more 112 receiving yards and two touchdowns against a suspect Wazzu secondary.

Iman Marshall and Marvin Tell each pick off Falk once but he still throws for three touchdowns and rushes for one. Darnold throws two more touchdowns in the second half for five total in the game. USC continues their hot streak.

Final Score: USC 42, Washington State 31 (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12)

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