USC vs. Washington State Final Score Predictions

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This afternoon’s USC vs. Washington State game is a close one on the Vegas betting lines and should be an exciting duel at Martin Stadium in Pullman.

For some guesses at the final score and some predictions of how it will play out, here’s the Reign Of Troy staff’s foreshadowing of how the winds will blow:

Michael Castillo:

USC’s bend-but-don’t break defense under Justin Wilcox is underrated, as it’s been defined by the performances of the final minutes in three of eight games thus far. But despite their success in the red zone, Washington State’s air raid offense was simply made for a defense such like USC’s.

The Trojans have shown the confidence in themselves to allow passes underneath as long as they’re preventing the big play, and the Cougars are more than happy to dink and dunk with a short and intermediate passing.

Look for Connor Halliday to throw a whole lot of passes and pick up a ton of yards, but the game comes down to how well the Trojans play on offense. If they can finish their own drives and establish a balanced attack with Buck Allen and Cody Kessler finding a rhythm, then Washington State might not be able to slow down USC enough to out-score them.

The Trojans have looked great against bad defenses this season, look for that to repeat, but this will be a dog fight for long stretches.

Josh Webb:

If this was a night game in Pullman, I would be inclined to pick the Washington State Cougars in yet another upset over USC. But it’s in the afternoon and the weather shouldn’t be crippling cold to affect the Trojans too much.

USC will likely go back to a steady dose of running the football with Buck Allen and they ought to control the game that way.

WSU can play it close and give the Trojans a game, but it’s too tough to see them winning this two years in a row when they’ve beaten USC just nine teams in the school’s existence.

I think the Cougars give them a run for their money in the first half and the Trojans may even have to come back, but I think they get it done. And if USC doesn’t find a way or let’s this one get away again, I swear I’m never picking them ever again.

Alicia de Artola:

Given the psychology of USC right now, I’m not overly confident in the Trojans here. Coach Sarkisian talks about the Trojans’ ability to be able to rebound after losses, but I don’t think every loss is equal in terms of bouncing back the next week.

Even with how outmatched the Cougars defense looks to be on paper, I think that USC’s offense should look very similar to what it did against Utah. Good one moment and terrible the next. Defensively, the Trojans will give up a lot of yards, because that’s what they do.

But with as good as the red zone defense is, I think it comes down to Washington State having to settle for field goals and USC being able to score touchdowns.

Who do you think will win tonight’s USC vs. WSU game? Vote in the poll below, then leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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