Washington vs USC Free Pick: Huskies Favored on the Road
Southern Cal Enters Game Off Huge Scare vs Bears
Seldom do you see a pair of ranked teams enter a head-to-head matchup looking so unimpressive. The Washington Huskies are 0-3-1 against the point spread in their last four games. The USC Trojans have dropped six straight games against the spread. Something will have to give here as Washington visits USC for a Saturday night contest. Washington vs USC free pick odds have the Huskies favored by 3.5 points on the road, and the total is 76.
Washington Huskies vs USC Trojans 
Day/Time: Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Streaming: ABC
Plenty of Points Expected
The first thing that jumps out at you is the total in this game. But considering USC’s 8-1 mark in totals this season, it’s hard to argue with the number. Both teams are averaging more than 40 points per game. Washington has allowed 32 or more points in three of its last five games. The Trojans have allowed 40 or more points in four of their last five.
Both teams are a little bit overrated by the betting public and it shows in the NCAAF betting lines. The Huskies are 8-0 straight-up, but just 3-4-1 against the spread this season. The Trojans are 7-2 straight-up. But they’re just 2-7 against the scores and odds NCAAF. That’s just dismal for a team of USC’s caliber.
The Huskies are 3-0 straight-up but 1-2 against the spread as a road favorite this season. But those spreads were all 15 points and higher. Now, they’re favored by a much more manageable 3.5 points.
Southern Cal hasn’t been a home underdog since 2021, so it’s relatively new territory for Caleb Williams.
Huskies Close Season With Brutal Stretch
The Washington Huskies have their work cut out for them if they want to finish with an undefeated season. Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State are all lined up after USC. There’s no doubt the team has the offense to get the job done. But there are still a few questions about the defense.
The Huskies don’t pay much attention to the running game. Washington runs 24 times a game and throws 39. The Huskies aren’t bad when they run, averaging 4.3 yards per carry against defenses that allow just 3.8 yards. But it’s Michael Pennix and the passing game that takes care of the heavy lifting for the Huskies. Washington averages 399 passing yards per game and 10.3 yards per pass attempt. The team is scoring 40.4 points per game.
The defense has decent numbers, allowing 20.6 points per game to teams averaging 27.7 points. But the Huskies have allowed more than 335 passing yards in three of their last five games. If California or Stanford can throw for more than 360 yards, what will Williams and the Trojans do?
USC Boasts Great Offense, Weak Defense
If nothing else, the Southern California Trojans have been a fun team to watch this season. Unless you like defense. USC averages 45.9 points per game against NCAAF teams allowing 27.4 points on the season. The Trojans run the ball for the Huskies, averaging 30 rushing attempts for 153.9 yards. USC throws 35 times for 328.3 yards per game.
On defense, USC allows 32.6 points to teams averaging 27.6 points on offense. The Trojans allow 4.5 yards per rush to teams averaging 4.2 yards per carry, so the rush defense could be a lot better. The passing defense is pretty average, allowing 248.8 yards per game. But the Huskies will pose their biggest test yet.
The Trojans close out the season with Oregon and UCLA, so a tough stretch to wrap up the regular season. Another win or two will go a long way toward a berth in a decent bowl game.
Which Quarterback Will Shine Brightest?
You have two of the marquee quarterbacks in college football squaring off, so naturally that’s where much of the preseason attention will be. You can’t blame people for that. There’s a decent chance both will be Heisman Trophy finalists and the last few games of the season should determine who the winner is in a crowded field.
The Washington vs USC free pick odds on the side of Washington -3.5 is a solid one. The Huskies are undefeated and have played better defense, so they deserve to be favored. They also look better on paper, so the Huskies will be popular in college picks today.
The Washington vs USC free pick odds on the total are more interesting. Either coach could help the under if they decided to make an effort to run the ball and keep the opposing quarterback on the sideline. But both will probably give their guy the chance to outperform the other.
Washington vs USC PICK
While the Huskies deserve to be favored, the spread could be a little bit high here. A line of Washington -2 is probably a more realistic number based on actual team abilities. But the spread factors in the public perception and betting habits. So the number is where it should be. But it also creates a little bit of value on the Trojans +3.5.
USC is among the few teams that can boast a better offense than Washington. Granted, the margin isn’t that big, but it is there thanks to their running attack, which can do some damage against Washington when called upon. But USC will let Williams do his thing, as well. Take USC +3.5 to keep it close, if not pull the outright upset.
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