Quarterback Kedon Slovis and the USC Trojans take on the Washington State Cougars this Saturday.

USC Hopes To Extend Road Streak At Wazzu

The USC Trojans (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) are 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five road games. After a disappointing loss to the Stanford Cardinal, the Trojans will try to get back on track on the road Saturday against the Washington State Cougars (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS).

USC Trojans vs Washington State Cougars
  • Date/Time: September 18, 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Stadium: Clarence D. Martin Stadium
  • TV Coverage: Fox
  • Sportsbook Odds: USC -10 | O/U 62 (Line History)
  • USC vs Washington State Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Trojans opened as 10-point road favorites in this matchup, but action on the Cougars has pushed the line down to USC -8.5. The total opened at 62 points, moved up to 64 points and has since moved back down to 62.5 points. The OVER is 4-1 in Washington State’s last five home games.

USC News & Notes

Clay Helton saved his job with a 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS campaign during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season. His seat is red-hot again after Saturday’s 42-28 loss at home to the Cardinal as 17.5-point favorites. The Trojans trailed 42-13 in the fourth quarter before scoring a couple of touchdowns in garbage time to make the final score look closer than the game actually was.

USC has only one Pac-12 conference title since Helton took over as the team’s head coach in 2015 and has gone 1-3 in four bowl appearances over that stretch. Fans yearning for USC to return to the national prominence it had under Pete Carroll in the early 2000s have been calling for Helton to be fired for years, and Saturday’s loss only added more fuel to the fire.

Washington State News & Notes

Jayden de Laura went 21-for-29 for 303 passing yards and three passing touchdowns and added another score on the ground in Washington State’s 44-24 win over the Portland State Vikings on Saturday. De Laura’s strong performance was likely a good confidence booster for the sophomore after he went just 12-for-22 with 155 passing yards in the Cougars’ 26-23 loss to the Utah State Aggies in Week 1.

Washington State’s defense is a work-in-progress and will have its hands full against this loaded USC offense. It will be up to de Laura and the offense to keep this game competitive. When these two teams met last December, the Trojans came out on top with a 38-13 victory as 11-point favorites in Los Angeles. Will the venue change be enough to produce a different result in this one?

Staff Betting Pick: USC -8.5

The Trojans are 5-1 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last six games coming off a loss. Another effort like the one they had on Saturday against Stanford will result in another loss here, but it’s more likely that the team bounces back with a dominant performance that leaves everyone scratching their heads as USC often does.
 

Want more Expert Betting Picks?

Check out the best sports handicapping services on the market today!

Buy Sports Picks Now
Shark Bites
  • USC is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games vs Wazzu.
  • Wazzu is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 September games.
  • The OVER is 8-4 in Wazzu’s last 12 games.
USC is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games vs. Wazzu. Wazzu is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 September games. home The OVER is 8-4 in Wazzu’s last 12 games.home
Back to Top