ESPN's SP+ predicts the score of USC's game against Washington State
Everyone thinks this is a trap game for USC.
At home against a good Washington State squad, but a week before the Trojans face No. 11 Utah on the road in a game with significant Pac-12 title implications? That’s a lookahead spot. And a number of folks in college football media are suggesting the Trojans could be on upset watch Saturday evening.
Not SP+.
Bill Connelly’s predictive model has the Trojans beating Washington State 33-23. His model gives the Trojans a 70% chance of winning the game.
USC is 5-0 so far this season, with its most recent win coming in a 42-25 victory over Arizona State at home. Washington State downed Cal 28-9 to move to 4-1.
The Cougars have played excellent football for all but five or so minutes this season. When wideout Robert Ferrel crossed the goal line with 6:42 to play in a Week 4 matchup with the Oregon Ducks, Washington State went up 34-22. The game felt over. But then Oregon immediately answered, punched Wazzu off the field in three plays, scored again to go up 37-34, and then picked off quarterback Cameron Ward and returned it for a game-sealing touchdown.
Things went haywire in remarkably quick fashion. But Washington State has been strong otherwise, powered by a defense that creates havoc at an elite rate and an explosive offense.
“I think Coach Riley is the peak offensive mind, probably in the country,” Wazzu coach Jake Dickert said earlier this week. “Calling plays he’s phenomenal. He puts his guys in unique situations and he’s so multiple. I just think the way he sees it and calls it is as good as there is out there. That’s why he has all the accomplishments, why he’s done it that well over time.
“It’s a challenge, but our guys will be ready to go and excited to play.”
The Cougars and Trojans kick off at 4:30 p.m. PT on FOX this Saturday.