USC vs. Washington State Prediction, Odds and Spread for College Football Week 3

Out goes head coach Clay Helton, in comes Donte Williams.

The 39-year old interim is the USC Trojan football program’s first African-American head coach; and will get his first test against the Washington State Cougars in Pullman, Washington.

USC has had a shaky start to 2021, as if the coaching change wasn’t enough evidence. The Trojans lost at home last week after being listed as a 17-point favorite over the Stanford Cardinal. The entire offense has run sluggish at times and the defense got picked apart by big plays from Stanford last week.

USC quarterback, Kedon Slovis, was picked as a dark horse Heisman candidate by some, but has struggled to find his receivers in space to get the Trojans some big plays of their own. Slovis has averaged just 239.5 passing yards per game and has fallen all the way to +3500 at WynnBET Sportsbook to take home the Heisman Trophy.

Washington State was upset by the Utah State Aggies in Week 1, then picked up a rebound win over Portland State in Week 2. 

The Cougars have two play-making running backs in Max Borghi and Deon McIntosh; Borghi sat out most of 2020, but was a huge factor for Washington State in 2019, picking up 11 rushing touchdowns and catching 86 passes. 

Here is how the odds for this PAC-12 contest currently stand, odds from WynnBET Sportsbook.

USC vs. Washington State Spread, Odds, and Over/Under

Spread: 

USC -7.5 (-110)

Washington State +7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

USC -300

Washington State +240

Total:

62.0 (Over -110/Under -110)

USC vs. Washington State Betting Trends

• Washington State are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games.
• Under is 4-1 in Trojans last five games following a loss.
• The over is 6-4 in Washington State’s last 10 games.
• The over is 4-6 in USC’s last 10 games.
• The last head-to-head matchup between these two teams had a total of 51.

USC vs. Washington State Prediction and Pick

The Trojans got beat pretty good by Stanford last week, but in all fairness, Stanford’s new quarterback Tanner McKee looks like a potential star, and I’ve got my eye on them for the rest of the season. But, I digress.

Washington State had an offensive identity with Mike Leach as their head coach, but after he left for a job at Mississippi State, what are the Cougars trying to do on offense? The air-raid offense under Leach that helped out Washington State’s usually ho-hum defense is now gone. 

The Cougars look like they’re still figuring things out in 2021, and I believe that the team with a different head coach from last week still has less questions surrounding it.

I’ll say the Trojans will rally behind new head coach Donte Williams and pick up the win and cover the -7.5-point spread.

Can USC cover the spread against Washington State? Make your pick at WynnBET.