Washington vs. USC Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest CFB Odds for Saturday, October 3rd
The Washington Huskies make their first road trip of the season for a Big Ten matchup against the USC Trojans in Los Angeles. Can Demond Williams Jr. and Washington respond from a disappointing loss to Minnesota against Jayden Maiava and a USC team also trying to recover from its first defeat? Check out this Washington vs. USC prediction and best bet for Saturday, October 3.
Peter Alexis - October 3, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
5 Minute ReadWashington vs. USC Prediction: Which Big Ten Foe Will Bounce Back After Tough Home Losses Last Week?
Washington and USC both enter the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 3-1 after suffering their first losses of the season last weekend. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM ET on NBC, with USC favored by 9.5 points and the total sitting at 59.
The Huskies fell 27-24 at home to Minnesota, while USC was beaten 41-27 by Oregon. Both teams therefore have something to correct, but Washington is catching nearly double digits against a Trojans defense that has shown significant vulnerability against capable offenses.
Washington vs. USC Recent Results
Washington Huskies (3-1), (0-1 Big Ten)
Washington’s unbeaten start ended with a 27-24 loss to Minnesota. The Huskies fell behind 21-10 at halftime, rallied in the second half and had an opportunity to complete the comeback before running out of time.
Demond Williams Jr. helped create that rally with both his arm and legs, including a late touchdown pass to Baron Naone and a 13-yard rushing score. Washington finished with only 40 rushing yards as a team, however, allowing Minnesota to control possession for more than 36 minutes.
The offensive inconsistency was disappointing after Washington scored 48 against Eastern Washington one week earlier. The Huskies had also survived a 16-14 game against Utah State, so the 3-1 record has included multiple close finishes.
Washington’s defense has helped compensate by creating turnovers. The Huskies have consistently generated interceptions and positive turnover margin, an important quality against a USC offense that will test the secondary vertically.
USC Trojans (3-1), (0-1 Big Ten)
USC suffered its first loss when Oregon pulled away for a 41-27 victory at the Coliseum. The game was tied 27-27 early in the fourth quarter before the Ducks scored the final 14 points.
Jayden Maiava still produced 326 passing yards and accounted for three touchdowns when including his rushing score. USC moved the ball effectively, but the defense could not consistently get Oregon off the field and surrendered more than 500 total yards.
Maiava has been excellent through the opening month with nearly 1,500 passing yards and 14 touchdowns against only two interceptions. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has emerged as his leading receiver, while King Miller provides balance in the backfield.
The concern is that USC has now allowed 30 points to Louisiana, 35 to Rutgers and 41 to Oregon in three consecutive games. That defensive profile makes it difficult to comfortably lay close to double digits against a quarterback as dynamic as Williams.
Washington vs. USC Head to Head
USC leads the all-time series, but Washington has controlled the recent meetings with three consecutive victories. The Huskies have also won the last two matchups by one possession.
- November 2, 2024: Washington 26, USC 21
- November 4, 2023: Washington 52, USC 42
- September 28, 2019: Washington 28, USC 14
- November 12, 2016: USC 26, Washington 13
Washington’s 2023 victory in Los Angeles is the most interesting recent result, although the personnel is almost entirely different. The Huskies won a 52-42 shootout by repeatedly answering USC scores and controlling the fourth quarter.
The current Washington offense may not have the same established firepower as that team, but the recent series shows that playing at the Coliseum has not prevented the Huskies from competing with USC.
Washington vs. USC Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
- How to Watch: NBC
Washington vs. USC Odds
- Spread: Washington +9.5 (-105), USC -9.5 (-114)
- Total Points: Over 59 (-107), Under 59 (-110)
- Moneyline: Washington (+320), USC (-360)
Click here for the latest Washington vs. USC Odds
Washington vs. USC Line Movement and Betting Splits
USC opened around a 10-point favorite before moving slightly below the key double-digit threshold to -9.5. The total has moved upward into the 59 range, reflecting the scoring potential on the USC side and the recent defensive issues for the Trojans.
DraftKings spread betting has favored USC, with roughly three-quarters of the handle and close to 80% of tickets laying the points with the Trojans. Washington has attracted the smaller share of both bets and money despite the move below +10.
That makes the number more important than the public distribution. +9.5 gives Washington considerable room to lose a competitive road game without needing to pull the outright upset.
Washington vs. USC Prediction
Washington’s loss to Minnesota was disappointing, but it also creates the type of spot where the final result can distort perception. The Huskies were held to 40 rushing yards and lost the possession battle badly, yet still came within three points after fighting back from an 11-point halftime deficit.
Williams gives Washington a quarterback capable of keeping broken plays alive, which is especially important as an underdog. USC has struggled to consistently finish defensive possessions, and a mobile quarterback can turn third-and-long situations into scramble yards or extended passing plays.
The matchup with USC’s defense is considerably more favorable than the ranking next to the Trojans might suggest. USC has surrendered at least 30 points in three straight games, culminating in Oregon producing 41 and more than 500 total yards. Washington does not need to match Oregon’s efficiency to threaten the high 20s.
USC should still score. Maiava has been one of the more productive quarterbacks in the country through September, and Washington’s first road game creates a new challenge for a secondary facing the best passing offense on its schedule. Asking the Huskies to win outright would require a much stronger defensive performance than simply asking them to cover.
That distinction is why +9.5 is appealing. Washington can allow USC to reach 31 or 34 and still cash if Williams keeps the Huskies in the mid-to-upper 20s. The total of 59 reinforces the possibility of a game where both offenses have enough possessions to keep a backdoor cover alive even if USC builds an early lead.
Turnovers provide another route. Washington has been good at creating extra possessions, while a takeaway against Maiava or a special-teams swing could immediately erase part of the margin. An underdog catching almost 10 points becomes much more dangerous when it can manufacture one or two additional possessions.
The first road game is the clearest concern. Washington played its entire September schedule in Seattle, and traveling to the Coliseum immediately after a frustrating conference loss is a different test. Still, USC is also coming off a damaging home defeat and has not defended well enough to justify expecting a comfortable double-digit win.
Washington vs. USC Best Bet
- Best Bet: Washington +9.5 (-105) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
USC has the more explosive passing offense and deserves to be favored, but its defense has not consistently created the separation required to comfortably lay this number. Washington only needs to remain within nine points, and Williams provides exactly the type of mobility and improvisational ability that can keep an underdog attached.
The Minnesota loss should not erase a 3-0 start or Washington’s ability to rally after falling behind. With USC having allowed 30-plus points in three consecutive games, the Huskies have a realistic path to staying competitive into the fourth quarter and covering +9.5.
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