Washington vs. USC: Last Minute Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

Washington (6-3, 4-2) looks to get a huge win over a good Pac-12 rival this week as they travel to USC (7-2, 4-2). The Huskies have had a great season this year, but their three losses have come against teams that were ranked.

USC is ranked 18th in the Associated Press Poll, however, due to NCAA sanctions they are unable to be ranked in any other poll. If they did not have those sanctions, USC would be a serious threat to make a charge for a BCS bowl game. 

Where: Los Angeles Coliseum: Los Angeles, Cal. 

When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 3:45 p.m. ET

Watch: FX

Betting Line: According to Bodog, it’s USC -12. Take the Trojans in this game, as Washington has proven that they cannot play against teams that have a higher talent level than them. 

Over/Under: The over/under for this game is listed at 63 points. Both of these teams will put up a large point total, as both have good offenses. But, you should take the under in this game, as USC’s defense will be to much for the Washington offense. 

Key Injuries for USC:

RB Marc Tyler is probably for Saturday’s game with an injured shoulder. He has missed the last two games because of it and may miss his third one.

WR George Farmer is still hurting from an ankle injury that he has been dealing with for a while. He is questionable for Saturday’s game against Washington.

CB Torin Harris is questionable with a shoulder injury. The shoulder could keep Harris out on Saturday versus the Washington Huskies. 

Key Injuries for Washington: 

WR Jermaine Kearse is questionable for Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. If he does go on Saturday, the ankle will slow him down from getting past the USC defense. 

CB Adam Long is questionable for Saturday’s game with an knee injury. The knee kept him out of last week’s game and may keep him from playing this week. 

DE Talia Crichton is questionable for Saturday’s game with a knee injury. The injury kept him out of last week’s game and could keep him out this week. 

BCS Implications: Both teams are not going to be going to a BCS game this year. For USC, it is because they have NCAA sanctions against them. As for Washington, their three losses will keep them from playing in a BCS bowl game this year. 

Keys to a USC Win: 

1. Let QB Matt Barkley have the green light to throw all game. If USC wants to put up a lot of points and have an easy time of defeating Washington, they have to let Barkley throw the ball 25-30 times in the game. 
2. Get the ball into WR Robert Woods’ hands. He is the best playmaker on the offense and will be the reason why this USC passing attack has a big game. 
3. Contain Washington quarterback Keith Price. Price is the best player on the Washington team, completing 66.8 percent of his passes with 2133 yards this season. If USC can put pressure on Price, they will have an easy time at controlling their offense. 

Keys to a Washington Win:

1. Give Keith Price time to find his receivers. When Price has a big pocket to find guys down field, this Washington offense is very scary. 
2. Get the ball into Chris Polk’s hands and let him control the game clock for Washington. Doing so will keep the ball out of USC’s hands, and will keep Matt Barkley off the field. 
3. Put pressure on Barkley, forcing him to make throws. When Stanford beat USC this season, they did not allow Barkley to make big throws. 

Prediction: This Washington team is a good story this year, as they are having a great year even after losing their leader to the NFL Draft in Jake Locker. However, the talent on USC will be to much for the Huskies this week. 

Final Score: USC 38, Washington 20  

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