Pac-12 Football 2017: 5 teams that will be on upset alert in Week 5

In a matchup of ranked teams, No. 5 USC is favored by nearly a touchdown on the road against No. 16 Washington State. But the Trojans have struggled to put in consistent performances all season. Sam Darnold has looked rather ordinary at quarterback after setting the nation ablaze last season. Coming off a short week, Darnold might once again struggle against a Washington State defense giving up only 142 passing yards per game.

Darnold will struggle even more in Pullman if top receiver Deontay Burnett is unable to go on Friday. Burnett currently ranks among the top 15 receivers in the nation in terms of receiving yards, but he injured his shoulder in the win over Cal and will likely be a game-time decision for Clay Helton.

While USC will probably get Ronald Jones II back in the backfield after he sat out with an injury last week, it remains to be seen whether the running back has returned to full health. When healthy, Jones is perhaps the most dangerous weapon the Trojans have on offense. If he is not 100 percent for this contest, though, he will find it hard to gain yards against the Cougars.

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USC has aspirations of a College Football Playoff spot this season. If they are going to turn dreams into reality, they’ll need to stay off upset alert against one of the toughest teams they’ll play all season.