USC and Washington are coming off College Football Odds losses that punctured early-season optimism. Now they will meet in a familiar former Pac-12 series under the Coliseum lights on NBC.
Last week, USC dropped a 41-27 home game to Oregon after starting 4-0. Washington fell 27-24 at home to Minnesota and sits 3-1. Lincoln Riley’s Trojans still have the more explosive roster on paper.
In sum, Jedd Fisch’s Huskies have won the last three meetings. Including a 26-21 decision in Seattle in 2024 and a 52-42 shootout at the Coliseum the year before.
USC will try to reset after Oregon exposed the defense and forced the offense into a catch-up mode that did not suit Riley’s usual rhythm. Meanwhile, Washington will try to prove the Minnesota loss was a one-off. Instead of a sign that the Huskies are still a step behind the top half of the Big Ten.
The Coliseum at night has been a mixed bag for visitors. But Washington has already shown it can win there. This is less a rivalry trophy game than a measuring stick. Gamblers ask if USC can bounce back immediately. Similarly, they wonder whether Washington can travel and hang with a team that still has playoff-level talent when it plays clean.
Washington Huskies vs. USC Trojans NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, October 3, 2026, 7:30 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California. |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Huskies | +9½ ( -105 ) | 57½ ( -113 ) | +295 |  |
| USC Trojans | -9½ ( -116 ) | 57½ ( -108 ) | -385 | |
| ||||
The Washington Huskies visit the USC Trojans on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Eastern at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. NBC has the national broadcast. USC is 4-1 after a 41-27 Online Wagering home loss to Oregon. Washington is 3-1 after falling 27-24 to Minnesota in Seattle.
Washington Huskies vs. USC Trojans Matchup Analysis
The game turns on whether USC can protect Jayden Maiava long enough to stress Washington’s secondary. Especially after Oregon just ripped the Trojan defense. In turn, sharps ask if Washington can run enough to keep Lincoln Riley’s offense off the field after a sloppy home loss to Minnesota.
Still, USC’s offense wants to get the ball out quickly and attack the perimeter. But the Oregon tape showed what happens when the pocket collapses. And the Trojans have to play from behind. Washington’s front generated pressure at home against Minnesota. Now it will try to do the same on the road.
If the Huskies win early downs and force Maiava into obvious passing situations, the Coliseum crowd will not save a unit that just gave up 41. By contrast, USC’s line must hold, and the skill players create after the catch. Hence, Washington’s defense has not yet proven it can survive a full night of College Football Betting explosives.
Washington’s offense under Jedd Fisch is more complementary than flashy. Drake Lindsey’s counterpart Demond Williams Jr. had a rough night against Minnesota. Including a costly interception off a hit. The Huskies need the run game and short passing game to stay on schedule. So they are not asking Williams to win a shootout in Los Angeles.
SBG Free Picks
To conclude, the Huskies have taken the last three meetings and just played Minnesota to a three-point game. As mentioned earlier, USC just got punched in the mouth by Oregon at home and has been a poor cover as a big favorite.
Finally, the total leans over. Both quarterbacks can pile up yards. USC’s defense just allowed 41, and Coliseum night games in this matchup have not stayed quiet
SBG Best Bet: Washington Huskies and Over the Total.