Southern California Trojans vs. Washington Huskies Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2024

Preview and Prediction

This was not the expected outcome for Washington or Southern California in their first season of competing in the Big Ten Conference.

When the former powerhouses of the Pacific-12 Conference face off on Saturday in Seattle, it will not be for a chance at the College Football Playoff, but simply to become eligible for a bowl game.

Both Southern California (4-4 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) and Washington (4-4, 2-3) need to win two of their remaining four games to reach the minimum requirement of six wins for postseason eligibility.

Huskies coach Jedd Fisch reminded his team to focus on the present and not try to predict the future. He urged them to concentrate on the task at hand and see what Saturday brings.

Washington, who has lost their last two games, faces a tougher path to bowl eligibility with upcoming games against No. 3 Penn State and No. 1 Oregon, as well as a home game against UCLA.

The Huskies have a perfect 4-0 record at home this season, while Southern California has yet to win a game on the road with an 0-3 record.

Fisch emphasized the importance of winning at home, defeating a long-standing Pac-12 rival, breaking their losing streak, and improving as a team. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, but also recognized its significance for the Trojans.

The Trojans, who still have games against Nebraska, UCLA, and Notre Dame, ended their three-game losing streak with a 42-20 victory over Rutgers last week. Sophomore Makai Lemon had an impressive performance with four receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Miller Moss expressed his team's relief and confidence in their abilities, giving credit to his teammates and coaching staff for their resilience and determination. He hopes to continue this momentum in the second half of the season.

PREDICTION

Southern California Trojans

Washington Huskies

Southern California Trojans vs. Washington Huskies Recap NOV 2TH 2024

Jonah Coleman rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns and Washington made a pair of late defensive stands to defeat USC 26-21 in a Big Ten Conference game Saturday in Seattle.

The Trojans had a first-and-goal at the Huskies' 4-yard line with 6:41 remaining but was unable to score. On fourth down from the 1, running back Woody Marks was stopped for a 3-yard loss by Washington linebacker Khmori House.

USC got the ball back on its own 34 with 1:36 left and drove to the Huskies' 14 before Miller Moss' fourth-down pass under heavy pressure fell incomplete with 11 seconds to go.

Will Rogers was 25-of-39 passing for 262 yards for Washington (5-4, 3-3), which snapped a two-game skid and boosted its bowl hopes. Denzel Boston made nine receptions for 99 yards.

Marks rushed for a game-high 123 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans (4-5, 2-5), who lost for the fourth time in their past five games. Moss was 30-of-50 passing for 293 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times.

After trailing 20-7 at the half, the Trojans scored touchdowns on their opening two possessions of the third quarter to surge in front.

Makai Lemon scored on a 37-yard pass from Moss on a fourth-and-9 play on the opening drive of the half, and Moss hit Kyle Ford with a 9-yard scoring strike to put USC ahead 21-20.

An interception by linebacker Carson Bruener late in the quarter gave the Huskies the ball back at the USC 39, and eight plays later, wide receiver Keith Reynolds scored on a 4-yard jet sweep with 13:48 remaining to restore Washington's lead. A two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score 26-21.

The Huskies took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter as Grady Gross kicked a 39-yard field goal and Coleman scored on a 19-yard run around the right end with 21 seconds left.

The Trojans drove 76 yards in 12 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Marks' 1-yard run over left guard, to get on the board.

The Huskies responded, with Reynolds returning the kickoff 50 yards to USC's 41-yard line. On third-and-1 from the 15, Coleman burst around the left end to score untouched and make it 17-7.

Gross added a 45-yard field goal with 40 seconds left in the half to give the Huskies a 20-7 lead.