#21 USC (3-1) at #17 Washington (3-1)
12:30 p.m.
Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Line: Washington -10
TV: FOX Radio: KOMO 1000
The No. 17 Washington Huskies are back home after their dominating 45-19 victory at BYU. Washington jumped on the Cougars, 21-3 in the first quarter. The Huskies scored a special teams and defensive touchdown in the win. It was a truly great day for UW in all three phases of the game.
”I thought we made strides in all three phases,” UW head caoch Chris Petersen said about the win over BYU. “Played a lot of guys like we kind of usually do. There’s no substitute for those game reps. And I think guys are still learning, growing, improving, and onto a new challenge this week.”
No. 21 USC will present a much tougher test for the Huskies. The Trojans are coming off an upset win over then No. 10 Utah. Starting quarterback Kedon Slovis left the game in the first quarterback with a concussion. Slovis is still in concussion protocol and has been ruled out for Saturday’s game. Getting his first start is redshirt junior, Matt Fink. After Slovis went down in the first quarter, Fink took over and passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns in the win. USC’s air raid offense has been tough to stop no matter who’s starting at QB this season. The Trojans are averaging 33.0 points per game and 324.5 yards passing.
“It’s definitely different than Washington’s State’s (air raid offense) but you have some of the core concepts that are the same,” Petersen said about comparing USC’s air raid offense to Washington State’s.”They certainty run the ball more than Washington State. But both (teams) like to throw it a lot.
The Trojans might just have the best wide receiver group in college football. USC is led by 6-foot-4 senior Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman has caught 31 passes for 437 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Tyler Vaughns, has caught 27 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. Rounding out the talented group, is sophomore Amon-Ra St. Brown. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound WR has caught 19 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. This will be a great test for UW’s secondary. USC has size and speed at WR and their new air raid system is a perfect fit.
Washington’s secondary will for sure being going up against their biggest test. So far, UW’s pass defense ranks No. 53 in pass defense – allowing 213.3 yards per game. The size of USC’s wide receivers could give UW’s secondary problems if they aren’t up for the task.
On the other side of the ball, UW’s offense is starting to click. Quarterback Jacob Eason has 1,063 yards passing yards with a 10/2 TD/INT ratio. Most impressive is Eason’s 73.1 completion percentage. Combine that with UW’s 190.8 yards rushing per game and the Huskies have a good balance on offense. Eason and UW’s offense could be in for a big day against a young USC defense.
The Trojans defense is led by their young and talented defensive line. True freshman Drake Jackson has 17 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks this season. Former UW commit Marlon Tuipulotu, a redshirt freshman, has 19 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack. Sophomore DT Jay Tufele has 15 tackles and a sack. USC’s defense is full of talent and have been solid this season – allowing a solid 24.0 points per game. The Trojans will be without starting safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Olaijah Griffin – both out with injuries.
Last meeting
Washington’s perfect season came to an end in 2016 after losing to USC, 26-13 at home. Quarterback Sam Darnold led the Trojans to the upset win. USC dominated in the trenches – out-gaining UW, 400-276 yards.
Extra Points
* 55 of UW’s 106 players are freshmen or redshirt freshmen
* Chris Petersen’s .807 winning percentage leads all active FBS coaches
* Since 2016, UW is 19-3 when a single player rushes for a 100 yards or more
* USC holds the lead in the series 52-29-4
* Washington has held opponents to 30 points or less in 41 straight games
Prediction
USC has the talent to beat any team in this conference on any given day. But consistency under head coach Clay Helton hasn’t always been there. With redshirt junior quarterback Matt Fink getting his first start on the road in Husky Stadium, things won’t come easy. And on the other side of the ball Eason should have a big day against a young Trojans secondary.
Washington 35 USC 24
