The No. 6 University of Southern California Trojans (5-0, 3-0 Pac-12) host the Washington State University Cougars (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday for a matchup that pits the Pac-12 Conference’s top offense against one of its toughest defenses. The Trojans are 13-point favorites, and the total is 66. Washington State is coming off an impressive 28-9 win over California at Clarence D. Martin Stadium last Saturday. Cameron Ward was 27 of 40 for 343 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Nakia Watson ran 14 times for 52 yards. Renard Bell caught eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. USC won for the fifth straight game last Saturday, beating Arizona State 42-25 at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Caleb Williams threw for 348 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Travis Dye carried 13 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Addison hauled in eight receptions for 105 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Trojans won the only game between the teams last season, a 45-14 victory in September, their third straight win against Washington State. Jaxson Dart threw four touchdowns for USC, as Drake London scored twice. Jayden de Laura tossed two touchdowns for Washington State.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Cougars are averaging 29.6 points per game for the season, 73rd in FBS, and they are facing a Trojans defense that has surrendered 19.6 PPG (31st). Meanwhile, USC has scored 42.2 points a game this season, 10th in the nation, and Washington State is allowing 18.2 PPG (25th).The Cougars rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (91.8, 122nd), while they are 27th in passing yards (289.0). The Trojans are 43rd in passing yards allowed per game (204.2) and 84th against the run (154.4). USC is 22nd in the nation in passing yards per game (296.6) and 43rd in rushing (183.8). Washington State’s defense will prove challenging on the ground, as the Cougars are 19th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (96.4). Against the pass, the Cougars are 116th (275.4).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, Cameron Ward has thrown for 13 touchdowns (7 INT) and 289.0 yards per game to lead Washington State in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD (2 INT) and 200 yards passing. Nakia Watson leads the team in rushing with an average of 62.4 yards a game over five games. He has two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Donovan Ollie is the Cougars’ leading receiver with 59.6 yards a game and two TDs. Caleb Williams has 12 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 280.4 yards per game through five games to lead USC. In three home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (1 INT) and an average of 293.7 yards. Travis Dye has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 84.4 yards a game through five games. He has five touchdowns. Jordan Addison has been the primary target in the Trojans’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and an 88.4 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
USC (-500)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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