USC's CFP dreams and Washington's road-warrior test collide under the Coliseum lights on Friday, October 2.
Bush’s Picks
WASHUSC
WASHUSC
OverUnder
Best BetUSC
USC's return of a proven, efficient quarterback and the deepest offensive line in the country makes the Trojans the safer outright pick at home. Washington's defense is legit, but asking a retooled Husky offense without its top two skill players to go win in the Coliseum is a lot to ask this early in the year. Back USC to get the win, even if it isn't pretty.
Washington
+Demond Williams Jr. returns after 31 total TDs last year
+Top-15 scoring and rushing defense nationally in 2025
+Won LA Bowl to cap 9-4 season
−Lost top playmakers Coleman and Boston to the NFL
−Fisch flagged road performance as the swing factor
−Rebuilding receiver corps around Williams
USC
+Jayden Maiava returns after nation-best 91.2 QBR
+Most experienced offensive line in college football
+No. 1 ranked recruiting class incoming
−Maiava threw 10 interceptions in 2025
−Tougher back half of schedule vs Oregon, Ohio State looms
−CFP-level expectations raise the pressure on every game
This one's a measuring-stick game for both programs. USC is leaning on Jayden Maiava, the reigning All-Big Ten Third Team QB who led the nation with a 91.2 QBR a year ago, and the most experienced offensive line in the country. Washington counters with Demond Williams Jr., a dual-threat junior who threw for over 3,000 yards and accounted for 31 total touchdowns last season. Head coach Jedd Fisch has been blunt that Williams needs to be better in exactly these kinds of spots — ranked opponent, hostile building.
USC's calling card is continuity. Lincoln Riley brings back his top three sack-producers, his two leading rushers, his leading tackler and the No. 1 recruiting class in the country signed on top of it. That's a program built to win now, and beating Washington is part of the case for a 10-win season and a playoff push. The flip side: Maiava threw 10 interceptions last year, and USC still has Oregon and Ohio State looming later on the schedule, so there's real incentive to keep this one clean and avoid the kind of mistakes that snowball against a disciplined Husky defense.
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Washington's pitch is the opposite: less star power up front, more program identity. The Huskies finished 2025 in the top 15 nationally in both rushing and scoring defense and never allowed more than 26 points in a single game en route to a 9-4 finish and an LA Bowl win over Boise State. But they lost their top two skill-position weapons — running back Jonah Coleman and receiver Denzel Boston — to the NFL, and Fisch himself has said the season hinges on Williams elevating a still-developing supporting cast, especially on the road.
Washington Huskies
Sep 25?vs Minnesota—
Sep 19?vs Eastern Washington—
Sep 12?vs Utah State—
Sep 6?vs Washington State—
USC Trojans
Sep 25?vs Oregon—
Sep 19?@ Rutgers—
Sep 12?vs Louisiana—
Sep 4?vs Fresno State—
Aug 29?vs San José State—
Recent form.
The trench battle is worth watching closely here. USC's offensive line depth should give Maiava time to work against a Washington front that has to replace production, while Washington's defense will be counting on its back seven to make plays on quick throws and keep Maiava from beating them with his legs, an area where he already piled up six rushing touchdowns last year. If Washington's front seven can slow USC's run game and force obvious passing downs, that's the version of this game where the Huskies have a real shot on the road.
Washington Huskies
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Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
USC Trojans
(0)
Fully healthy — no injuries on ESPN's report
Injury report — info via ESPN.
Both teams enter with something to prove. USC wants to show last year's breakout wasn't a fluke and that its talent gap is real. Washington wants to prove it can win the games that actually matter, not just pad a record against lesser competition. That tension is the whole story here, regardless of who's favored.
