In Week 5 of the 2026 regular season, the Washington Huskies are set to travel to Los Angeles to take on the USC Trojans. With the game being held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, fans can expect a high-stakes evening of football under the lights at 7:30 PM on NBC. Both teams are looking to solidify their standing within the Big Ten Conference. The Washington Huskies head into this matchup with a 3-1 record. Notably, they are searching for their first road win of the season. The Huskies' recent loss to Minnesota was a setback, but previous victories highlight their potential to rebound. On the other side, the USC Trojans hold a 4-1 record, with a strong home presence at 3-1. Ranked #18 in both the AP and Coaches Polls, USC aims to maintain their position among the top teams. Despite a recent defeat against Oregon, the Trojans have demonstrated resilience in bouncing back from losses.

USC vs Washington At a Glance (Week 5)

  • Game Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA
  • Game Date and Time: Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 7:30 PM
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Washington Huskies Record: 3-1 overall, 0-1 in Big Ten
  • USC Trojans Record: 4-1 overall, 1-1 in Big Ten
  • Game Odds: USC favored with a -9.5 spread

USC Trojans: Analyzing the Home Team's Key Factors for Success

Offensive Powerhouse

The USC Trojans have displayed an explosive offense this season, ranking 1st in the nation with 1,625 passing yards. Jayden Maiava has been a standout at quarterback, leading the team with 1,499 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in five games. King Miller has complemented the passing attack with 412 rushing yards, further boosting their offensive arsenal.

USC's receiving corps has been impressive, with Kayden Dixon-Wyatt leading the team with 372 receiving yards. Trent Mosley and Mark Bowman have also made significant contributions, with Mosley securing 4 touchdowns in just three games. This dynamic offense has helped the Trojans secure their position as the 4th highest scoring team in the league with 199 points.

Defensive Challenges

While the offense has shined, USC's defense has faced its share of challenges, conceding 132 points, placing them 95th in the rankings. Despite the high points allowed, the defense has excelled in creating turnovers, ranking 4th with 3 interceptions. The Trojans' defensive line has also been effective, recording 8 sacks to rank 10th nationally.

The Trojans will need to tighten their defense against a strong Washington Huskies team. Injuries could affect their defensive lineup, with key players like Alex Graham and Kendarius Reddick listed as questionable. This presents an opportunity for backups to step up and solidify the defense.

Recent Game Performance

USC has a recent record of 4-1, with their sole loss coming against the Oregon Ducks, 41-27. The Trojans dominated their other games, with notable victories against Fresno State (39-0) and San Jose State (42-26). The team will look to rebound from their last defeat and continue their winning momentum at home.

The loss to Oregon highlighted areas for improvement, especially on the defensive side, as they allowed 366 passing yards. However, the Trojans' resilience was evident in their ability to score and keep pace, even in challenging situations. This adaptability will be crucial in their upcoming games.

Injury Concerns

The Trojans' depth will be tested as they deal with multiple injuries, including Kilian O'Connor's season-ending leg injury. The status of wide receivers Corey Simms and Trent Mosley remains uncertain, potentially impacting their offensive strategies. Despite these setbacks, USC has shown depth and versatility, which could mitigate the impact of these injuries.

On the defensive side, Taylor Johnson and Alex Graham's questionable status may alter the lineup, potentially affecting USC's defensive schemes. The team will need to adjust quickly to maintain their competitive edge.

Team Betting Trends

  • SU - As Favorite: 15-1 in their last 16 games
  • SU - After Loss: 6-0 in their last 6 games
  • SU - Home Games: 10-1 in their last 11 games
  • O/U - All Games: 3-0 in the last 3 games
  • O/U - Home Games: 20-9 in their last 29 games

Washington Huskies: Ready for the Trojans Test

Offensive Overview

The Washington Huskies' offense has shown its potential, ranking 25th in passing yards with 1154 yards this season. However, their rushing attack is struggling, ranking 114th with only 432 yards. Their ability to convert these yards into points is critical, as they currently rank 55th in points scored.

Demond Williams Jr. leads the charge as the starting quarterback, boasting 1129 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. His connection with receivers like Dezmen Roebuck, who has 308 receiving yards, will be crucial against the Trojans.

Defensive Strengths

Defensively, Washington has been solid, allowing 67 points, which places them 40th in the rankings. They have been especially strong at creating turnovers, with 6 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered, ranking in the top 10 nationally for both categories.

Their pass rush is also formidable, with 9 sacks this season, ranking them 9th. The defense's ability to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers will be key against a potent USC offense.

Key Players to Watch

On offense, running back Trey Cooley has contributed with 50 rushing yards and 2 receptions for 4 yards. While the rushing game has not been the Huskies' strong suit, his involvement in the passing game can add another dimension to their attack.

Wide receiver Rashid Williams has been a reliable target with 184 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Along with Dezmen Roebuck, these receivers will be crucial in stretching the field and finding openings in the USC defense.

Injury Concerns

The Huskies are dealing with several injuries that could impact their performance. Running backs Jayden Limar and Quaid Carr are both out, which limits their depth in the backfield.

Additionally, wide receiver Christian Moss and safety CJ Christian's statuses are uncertain, which could affect their ability to maintain offensive and defensive consistency. These injuries will test the depth and resilience of the Huskies' roster.

Betting Trends

  • SU - After Loss: Last 7 Games (2024–2026) → 7-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - Away Games: Last 18 Games (2022–2025) → 11-7 (61.1%)
  • O/U - After Loss: Last 14 Games (2021–2026) → 9-5 (64.3%)
  • O/U - As Favorite: Last 15 Games (2024–2026) → 10-5 (66.7%)
  • SU - All Games: Last 30 Games (2023–2026) → 19-11 (63.3%)

USC vs Washington Week 5 Prediction: Over 58.5

USC and Washington both bring strong offensive capabilities to this game. USC ranks 4th in points scored with 199 and leads the nation in passing yards with 1,625. Their tendency to play in high-scoring games, as shown by their over trend in the last three games, suggests they will continue to put up significant points.

Washington, while not as prolific offensively, still has a solid passing game ranked 25th with 1,154 yards. They will likely find opportunities against a USC defense that has given up 132 points, ranking them 95th. This adds to the potential for a high-scoring affair.

Historically, these two teams have participated in games that exceed the 58.5 total. USC's recent trends of going over totals of 50 or more and their performance in home games suggest another high-scoring encounter.

Given these factors, the total of 58.5 seems achievable with both teams expected to contribute significantly. The projected final score is USC 41 - Washington 35, supporting the pick for the over.

  • USC vs Washington Prediction: Over 58.5
  • USC vs Washington Score: USC 41 - Washington 35

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Stay Ahead

Get more picks and sports insights in your inbox

Subscribe to the Knup newsletter for weekly CFB previews, sports business notes, and ecosystem updates.

Subscribe to Knup View All CFB Picks