USC vs. Washington Score Predictions

Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Steven Mitchell Jr. (7) reacts by shushing the crowd as he celebrates scoring a second quarter touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The first Trojan game day of October has finally arrived with USC vs. Washington due to kick off at tonight at the Coliseum.

Will Washington be pumped up to face their former head coach? Can the Trojans handle the Thursday night spotlight and put an underdog to bed?

USC vs. Washington Score Predictions:

Michael Castillo: USC 38, Washington 24

If history has any say, look for USC to get out to a fast start on Thursday night, only to pull the foot off the gas whether it be by human nature or design.

In the last two Thursday games at the Coliseum, the Trojans led 28-3 and 28-2, only to win 38-31 and 38-30, respectively. That’s eerily similar.

This time, USC is a 17-point favorite and is playing a team in Washington that lacks the offensive weapons of Arizona and Cal in the last two midweek matchups, though they have a significantly better defense. Because of that, look for the Trojans to hop out to a lead and the Huskies pull off a backdoor cover, falling just short of making it lethal comeback attempt.

Nick Conley: USC 32, Washington 17

Washington is thin on defense and won’t be able to keep up with Trojan speed. They also lack a threatening offense.

Alicia de Artola: USC 35, Washington 17

I suspect USC will have to settle for field goals a few more times than they have had to this season, but the offensive firepower on tap will still be too much for a solid Washington defense.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, they do not have the offense to sustain drives the way Stanford did. While they could give the Trojans trouble in some spots, USC’s offense will ultimately prevail.

Vegas set the line at 17, which sounds just right. USC will just cover.

Demetrie Edwards: USC 45, Washington 13

Both teams will enter this contest on an emotional high, but for vastly different reasons. As the former head coach at Washington, coach Sarkisian will be the centerpiece of emotion as this game begins.

Sep 26, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Southern California Trojans fullback Soma Vainuku (31) celebrates a missed field goal by the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second quarter at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The men of Troy have already displayed to the nation their support for their head coach. They will be lining up against a team full of players recruited by coach Sark, who quite possibly felt the same way about him as the Trojan players do now. The mix of emotions will be high and I expect an electric atmosphere as the Trojans come in fired up.

As the loss to Stanford begins to shape a new meaning with each subsequent win for both teams, the Trojans now have an opportunity to make a statement, silencing their critics in the process, at least temporarily.

Will USC use a dominant run game fed off of a potent passing attack, or the other way around? It really doesn’t matter as I expect the Trojans to come out firing in all three phases of the game, imposing their will on a very talented but outgunned Washington squad.

Dustin Jacobs: USC 42, Washington 17

USC should blow out Washington at home. They’ve had an extra week to prepare and get any chance of a hangover from ASU off their heads.

Washington is not a good football team, at least not yet under Peterson, unless the “Sark left us” narrative turns the Huskies into a juggernaut over night. On a Saturday the score wouldn’t be as close.

Max Meyer: USC 42, Washington 21

Even though he’s playing off the story line, Steve Sarkisian wants to show Washington fans what they are missing.

Washington slowed down Cal in its last game, but the Golden Bears still put up 30 points on the road. Cal has some great weapons, but USC has the best group of skill position players in the conference. And I don’t think the Huskies’ offense will be able to keep up.

Washington’s best running back, freshman Myles Gaskin, racked up 146 rushing yards vs. Sacramento State. In his other three games, he has 63 yards on 25 carries. Former USC commit Jaydon Mickens is an explosive wideout, but USC’s defense should be able to handle one legitimate threat.

Add in the fact that Washington’s offense has already turned the ball over 10 times, and I can’t see the Huskies coming close to USC’s point total.

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