USC football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020
Oct. 24. Arizona Wildcats. 5. 835. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Tucson (Ariz.). player
Arizona has not been the program that many envisioned when Kevin Sumlin took over after being dismissed from Texas A&M and now with dynamic quarterback Khalil Tate gone, this could be another tough season for the Wildcats that could put a lot of pressure on him in coming seasons.
The offense will be in the hands of Grant Gunnell, a young quarterback who has played well at times. The defense will need to make big leaps for the Wildcats to challenge for a bowl game and the offense will need to be more consistent. This is a big year for Sumlin and the Wildcats, but the Trojans are going to be too much for the Wildcats, even in Tucson.
Final Score: USC 49, Arizona 21 (5-0)
Nov. 7. Los Angeles (Calif.). 846. Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report. Washington State Cougars. 6
These two teams have not met since USC won in 2018, but the games have a tendency to produce some classics and this could be another shootout. The Cougars replaced Mike Leach with Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich and most think that the transition from Leach’s air raid offense to his run-and-shoot should be pretty seamless.
Washington State returns 15 total starters, but will have to replace quarterback Anthony Gordon and the defense is going to have to improve considerably for the Cougars to make another bowl game.
With the uncertainties on defense, I think that the Cougars are not a good matchup for the Trojans and USC wins comfortably here.
Final Score: USC 38, Washington State 24 (6-0)