Washington vs USC Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 3 2026
The Washington Huskies travel to Los Angeles for a Big Ten matchup against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET with national television coverage on NBC. Washington opened the season 3-0 before beginning conference play against Minnesota, while USC gets another significant Big Ten home game after hosting Oregon. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be ready for all the college football season with our free college football picks.
Washington Takes Its First Road Trip
Washington opened 3-0, but the Huskies haven’t always looked as dominant as the record suggests. They survived Utah State 16-14 and were also tested during the nonconference portion of the schedule before entering Big Ten play.
The October 3 trip to USC represents Washington’s first road game of the season. That’s significant because the Huskies have had the benefit of playing their entire September schedule in Seattle. Moving into the Coliseum against a talented conference opponent changes the environment considerably.
Washington’s defense needs to keep the game manageable. Allowing USC to establish explosive offense early would force the Huskies away from a more balanced approach and create additional pressure on an offense that has already experienced stretches of inconsistency.
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USC Gets Another Major Game at the Coliseum
USC enters this matchup after hosting Oregon, meaning the Trojans are navigating one of the more demanding portions of their conference schedule. Staying home for Washington at least removes the travel component and gives USC another opportunity to use the Coliseum environment.
The Trojans should possess the more explosive offensive ceiling. Washington has shown that it can grind through close games, but USC has the type of attack capable of turning a handful of defensive mistakes into touchdowns.
USC must avoid giving Washington additional possessions. The Huskies have already shown they are comfortable playing close games, and turnovers would allow them to shorten the contest. If USC protects the football, its offensive advantage becomes much more meaningful.
Washington vs USC Picks and Prediction
Pick: USC
Without a trustworthy current spread, I’ll keep the recommendation on USC to win rather than attach a hypothetical number. Washington’s 3-0 start deserves respect, but this is the Huskies’ first road trip of the season, and the Coliseum represents a substantial increase in difficulty. USC’s offensive ceiling and home field make the Trojans the side.
Pick: Over if the Total is 55.5 or Lower
Washington will attempt to keep this manageable, but USC’s offense can change the pace quickly. The Huskies should also find scoring opportunities of their own if USC forces them into a more aggressive second-half approach. At 55.5 or lower, there’s enough room for a 31-27 or 34-24 type of game to cash the over.
Final Picks: USC and Over 55.5 or Lower
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