Washington vs USC Prediction 10/3/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Washington Cougars and the USC Trojans meet Saturday in college football action from LA Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Here’s a Washington vs USC prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Washington vs USC pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Washington Cougars Betting Preview

The Cougars have four games in the bag so far this season. Washington opened up with a rivalry game versus Washington State, eventually taking that one 24-10 at home. The Cougars were able to eke out a 16-14 victory over Utah State in game two, then kept it going with another win over Eastern Washington. That one was a 48-16 outcome for a 3-0 start.

In last weekend’s matchup versus Minnesota, the Cougars gave up two touchdowns in the first quarter and another in the second for a 17-10 halftime deficit. Washington scored a couple of TDs themselves in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough in a 27-24 loss. QB Demond Williams was 18-of-28 for 239 yards, two TDs and two picks. Dezmen Roebuck had seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in the losing effort.

USC Trojans Betting Preview

Over on the USC side, they’ve played five games already this year. The Trojans’ opener was a 42-26 win over San Jose State, then came a 39-0 blowout win at home versus Fresno State. USC continued to roll with wins over Louisiana 49-30 and Rutgers 42-35 in the next pair of outings. The Trojans posted points in every quarter (and gave up points in every quarter) during that road win over the Scarlet Knights.

Matched up against Oregon last weekend the Trojans were only down one score as the final quarter began, trailing 27-20. USC gave up a couple more end-zone trips from there though, and lost the game 41-27. QB Jayden Maiava was 23-of-42 for 326 yards, two TDs and one pick. King Miller led the rush in the losing effort with 13 carries for 74 yards.

Washington Huskies @ USC Trojans Betting Trends: Week 5

USC Trojans Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Jayden Maiava ranks T1st amongst FBS players for passing touchdowns (14) this season.

Washington Huskies Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Baron Naone ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• USC ranks 1st among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (131).
• USC ranks 136th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (11.4).
• Washington ranks T131st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (1.8).
• Washington ranks T15th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.5).

Washington vs USC Prediction

I’ll lean toward USC, but they’ve got to bounce back well after the loss to Oregon last weekend. The Trojans gained 446 yards in that one with 5.9 yards per play and 26 first downs but also went just 2-of-11 on third downs. The defense surrendered 504 yards with 7.4 yards per play and 23 first downs to the Ducks. It just wasn’t USC’s day, but they’re probably a better team than they looked like last weekend.

As for Washington, they had a bad offensive game versus Minnesota but still made things interesting down the stretch. The Cougars had just 40 rush yards, 16 first downs, two picks and 1-of-10 on third downs in the defeat. Defensively the team wasn’t too bad on 329 yards, 18 first downs and 4-of-14 on third downs allowed. I don’t think they’ll keep a cover pace on an angry USC team at home, though.

Andrew Jett's Pick: USC Trojans -9.5