Washington vs USC Prediction, Pick, College Football Odds for Saturday, Oct. 3

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The Washington Huskies take on the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

USC is favored by -9.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -375. Washington, meanwhile, enters as a +9.5 underdog and is +290 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 58.5 total points.

Here’s my Washington vs. USC prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 3. For more college football picks and analysis, download the Action Network app today.

• Washington vs. USC Pick: USC -9.5

My USC vs. Washington best bet is on the Trojans to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.

Washington vs USC Odds

• Washington vs USC point spread: USC -9.5 (-115), Washington +9.5 (-105)
• Washington vs USC over/under: 58.5 (-106o / -114u)
• Washington vs USC moneyline: Washington +290, USC -375

The Washington offense continues to struggle for answers after a loss to Minnesota as a double-digit home favorite. The Huskies were held without a methodical drive against the Gophers, as the offensive line fell to 110th in Line Yards.

Quarterback Demond Williams has the most carries of the season at 32, but only nine have come from designed calls.

The running back room has been dull, as Brian Bonner Jr. and Trey Cooley each average two yards or fewer after first contact. The struggles have led to a passing attack that has fallen to 117th in EPA.

There could be additional issues on the defensive side of the ball, as lukewarm numbers come against a strength-of-schedule rank of 131st.

The Huskies grade mid-FBS in tackling and sit outside the top 50 in passing down Success Rate allowed. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has had success at previous stops with the 3-3-5, replicating that with a top-30 rank in EPA.

The biggest warning may come in the methodical drives department, as Washington ranks 44th in Quality Drives allowed against the offenses of Minnesota, Eastern Washington, Utah State, and Washington State.

USC could use a get-healthy game, similar to Oregon’s beatdown of Portland State in Week 3.

The Trojans are under heavy fire for a lackluster 2026 that includes a one-possession victory over Rutgers and an embarrassing defensive effort in the second half against Oregon in Week 4.

Southern California has seen a stark contrast since last season, going from D’Anton Lynn at defensive coordinator to Gary Patterson. The Trojans rank bottom-10 in Havoc, tackling, and opponent Pass EPA.

The offense has shown cracks in head coach Lincoln Riley’s system as well, which was always a possibility with true freshmen expected to contribute.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava‘s top three targets — Trent Mosley, Mark Bowman and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt — are all freshmen. The trio has been electric from a yards-per-route-run perspective and haven’t recorded a drop through the month of September.

Controlling the line of scrimmage and creating explosives have dipped USC’s number of available yards. Maiava has seen a similar drop in his passing numbers, averaging the lowest depth of target and big-time throw rate of his career .

The most interesting battle of Week 5 may come down to the incompetence of the Washington offense against the struggling USC defense.

Both units have led their teams to embarrassing losses.

The Huskies run a heavy amount of both inside and outside zone, a run concept the USC defense has a high Success Rate against at 59%.

Williams should find success in scrambles and busted plays against the Trojans’ defense, but nothing in the zone coverage numbers suggests Washington can create explosives from the pocket.

Conversely, Maiava has dominated Cover 3 this season to the tune of a 61% Success Rate with a big play on one of every four attempts.

Another edge for USC comes in the rushing attack, using a heavy amount of assignment-based run concepts. The Trojans have run man schemes on 64 snaps this season behind King Miller, who’s averaging 3.6 yards after first contact while forcing 22 missed tackles.

Action Network’s Betting Power Ratings call for USC to be an 11.5-point favorite, giving a slight investment nod to the Trojans. From run concepts and coverage looks, USC holds the advantage on both offense and defense.

Look to back the Trojans as home favorites despite the negative press following Riley in every interview. USC has the advantage in designed calls, which should outlast a Washington offense based on busted plays.

Pick: USC -9.5 or Better