Washington State travels to Los Angeles for an interdivisional battle in the Pac-12 against USC football. Who emerges victorious in the conference showdown?
Washington State arrives in Los Angeles for a Friday night showdown against USC with wins in two out of the last three meetings between these two schools. The Trojans lost to the Cougars in 2013 and again last year, the two defeats sandwiched around a 44-17 USC blowout in 2014.
This year, USC has been struggling to keep up with their expectations. With JT Daniels taking over Sam Darnold‘s position under center, the Trojans have to expect and account for some of the inevitable mistakes and growing pains that come with playing a freshman quarterback. Daniels is averaging more than 270 passing yards per game, but he has also thrown three interceptions through his first three career starts.
With back-to-back losses on the road against Stanford and Texas, USC is hoping that a return to the friendly confines of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum help right things for Clay Helton‘s squad this season.
Washington State, meanwhile, has quietly started the year 3-0 without any attendant buzz that normally comes with an undefeated team. The Cougars took down Wyoming, San Jose State, and FCS opponent Eastern Washington through the first three games of the season, and they are doing it with both strong defense and solid offensive output.
Nobody accounts for more yards per game than Washington State’s newest gunslinger, Gardner Minshew. Entering Week 3, Minshew is the only quarterback in the country averaging more than 400 passing yards per game.
Washington State has momentum on their side. USC has home-field advantage as they try to stem the losing streak. Here’s how you can watch the Friday night #Pac12AfterDark game between the Trojans and Cougars:
Date: Friday, Sept. 21
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN | FuboTV
Keys to Victory
USC has to contain Minshew and force Washington State to try to beat them with their running game. The Trojans also need Daniels to have an efficient game where he refrains from committing any turnovers. After falling flat against two straight Power Five opponents, USC has to put together its first complete game of 2018.
Washington State is effectively playing with house money. They need to contain USC on the ground, forcing the freshman quarterback to beat the Cougars with his arm. The Cougars also need to make sure to keep their own quarterback upright, as USC features several dangerous pass rushers.
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of oddsshark.com
Point Spread: USC -4.5
Over/Under: 50.5
Prediction
The home fans in Los Angeles are going to leave the Coliseum unhappy, as Washington State comes to town on Friday evening and heads back to Pullman with their undefeated record still intact.
These two teams are going to get into an offensive showdown, and in that regard the Cougars simply have more veterans to tip the scales in their favor. USC will sack Minshew four or five times, but he will still pass for nearly 500 yards and at least four touchdowns as Washington State snatches a close win.
Final Score: Washington State 41, USC 38