Washington a Small Favorite vs Caleb Williams, Struggling USC in Week 10

What: #5 Washington vs #24 USC - Week 10
When: Saturday, November 4th, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

There will be no shortage of Online college football betting when #5 Washington travels to California to face #24 USC on Saturday in a must-watch Pac-12 Week 10 matchup. The kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, one of the most iconic venues in the nation. The Huskies have yet to lose this year (8-0) and look like the favorite to win the conference behind Heisman Trophy contender, Michael Penix Jr. UW just beat Stanford 42-33 over the weekend. As for the Trojans, they're just 1-2 in their last three and sit at 7-2 on the season. Lincoln Riley's squad was just pushed to the absolute brink by unranked California in Week 9, winning a 50-49 nailbiter. Keep reading for the Washington vs USC picks.

Before we get into the odds and analysis as to who could come out on top this Saturday, make sure to check out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks.

Washington vs USC Odds

Team
Washington	-3.5 (-110)	-4 (-110)	-3.5 (-110)
USC	+3.5 (-110)	+4 (-110)	+3.5 (-110)

The moneyline isn't available yet but spreads are undoubtedly the money maker when it comes to college football. Washington is laying 3.5 points at most sportsbooks. The total is set very high, sitting at 76. These two programs haven't actually met since 2019 when the Huskies 28-14 in Seattle. In fact, they've won two of the last three against USC.

Washington Looking Like a Contender

It's well known a quarterback is the backbone of any national championship contender. And while Washington has had some shaky moments at times throughout the past couple of weeks, there is no limit on what this team can accomplish with Penis Jr under center. The signal-caller is putting up ridiculous numbers, completing 68.8% of his passes for 2,945 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six picks. Although the Heisman hype has cooled down recently, he's still in the running.

Penix Jr was once again the difference-maker on Saturday as the Huskies barely escaped with a win versus Stanford. Despite heading in as a 27.5-point favorite, Washington won by only nine points, much in part due to some lackluster defense. Penix Jr did finish 21 for 38 for 369 yards and four touchdowns though, providing his usual brilliance on the offensive side of the ball. Washington remains the best team in the Pac-12 and remains top-five in the country in the national rankings.

Honestly, Washington does have a realistic shot at finishing the regular season at the very least undefeated. As a slim favorite against USC, they should be able to expose the Trojans' atrocious defense. Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State all follow to close out the campaign. But, the focus for now will surely be on bringing their absolute best against USC, who have a potent QB as well in Caleb Williams. The UW defense has to be a mile better on Saturday because the projected first-overall pick is undoubtedly capable of carving up Washington.

Can USC Turn it Around?

Honestly, at this point, USC's chances at making the College Football Playoff are gone. Once they lost to Utah in Week 8, it was over. While not all is lost yet for Riley's group, there's no questioning the Trojans really need to figure it out defensively. They're allowing an atrocious 32.6 points per game and nearly 450 yards per contest. That's just not a recipe for success. It doesn't even matter how good Williams is if USC can't stop their opponents from scoring the football.

Williams has thrown for over 2,600 yards for 25 touchdowns against only four interceptions, completing nearly 70% of his passes. The superstar actually had one of his best outings of 2023 against California, going 23 for 40 for 369 yards and two TDs. The completion rate wasn't phenomenal, but the yardage was. The Trojans did drop all the way to 24th in the NCAA though after Cal nearly pulled off the upset. Williams helped his team overcome a two-touchdown deficit before the Golden Bears almost won it but missed the two-point conversion in the dying seconds.

Neither team has a great defense here. We're going to see points and honestly, it'll probably be a shootout between Williams and Penix Jr. That being said, USC has to do its absolute best at trying to limit Penix Jr downfield because he's mostly a thrower. He doesn't really run the football. To be frank, though, the Trojans are at serious risk of losing their third game. Washington is legit.