Washington Huskies at USC Trojans

Injuries noted

Washington Huskies: Landen Hatchett (questionable) — Center, wrist. Fisch said 'We'll see if Landen's back' and noted he had not yet done full team contact.; Emmanuel Karnley (probable) — Cornerback, listed as probable on Washington's first availability report of the week.; Jordan Washington (out) — Running back, out with a severe neck injury.; Jayden Limar (out) — Running back, listed out.; Quaid Carr (out) — Running back, listed out.

USC Trojans: Corey Simms (out) — Wide receiver.; Kendarius Reddick (out) — Safety.; Kilian O'Connor (out) — Offensive lineman.; Trent Mosley (doubtful) — Freshman wide receiver, knee. Moved down from questionable on Friday's report.; Hayden Treter (doubtful) — Offensive lineman. Moved down on Friday's report.; Mark Bowman (questionable) — Starting tight end, undisclosed injury.; Alex VanSumeren (questionable) — Defensive tackle.; Alex Graham (questionable) — Safety.; Jahkeem Stewart (probable) — Defensive lineman, foot. Moved up to probable on Friday. Made his season debut against Oregon.; Taylor Johnson (probable) — Linebacker (Taylor 'Taybo' Johnson).; Desman Stephens II (suspended) — Junior linebacker, one-game suspension.

QUARTERBACK

• Jayden Maiava is USC's projected starter

  9.55 Y/A

  Jayden Maiava is USC's projected starting quarterback. Oct. 1–2 previews discuss redshirt senior Maiava as USC's quarterback against Washington. ClutchPoints reports 1,499 passing yards and 14 TDs through five games. NBC Sports says he had his lowest completion rate (54.8%) against Oregon. SI (Oct. 2) says he has no injury designation. No formal starter announcement was found. 2026 line: 1499 passing yards, 70.1% completions, 9.55 yards per attempt, 14-2 TD-INT over 5 games.

• Demond Williams Jr. is WASH's projected starter

  8.01 Y/A

  Demond Williams Jr. is WASH's projected starting quarterback. Oct. 2 previews discuss Williams as Washington's quarterback for this game. The Daily Trojan calls him a junior dual-threat starter with 220 rushing yards this season. NBC Sports says he threw two interceptions and was sacked a career-high seven times against Minnesota last week. SI (Oct. 2) says he has no injury designation. No formal starter announcement was found. 2026 line: 1097 passing yards, 69.3% completions, 8.01 yards per attempt, 7-3 TD-INT over 4 games.

TRENCHES

• USC: 165 rushing yards per game to WASH's 107.3

  57.8 YPG

  USC is running for 165 yards a game over five games, about level with 169.5 last season, while Washington is at 107.3 over four, far below its 165.5 a year ago. USC's ground game looks like its usual self, and Washington's drop is the number with more room to move back up. At home with the steadier run game, USC is the side better placed to control the clock and the style.

PACE & SCRIPT

• USC: 39.8 points per game to WASH's 28

  11.8 PPG

  USC is scoring 39.8 points a game over five games, up a bit from 35.8 last season, while Washington is at 28 over four, down from 34.1. USC's number sits close to its recent level and looks repeatable, while Washington's drop is the one more likely to bounce back. At home, USC has the offense better placed to set the pace, so Washington probably needs to score with it rather than slow it down.

• WASH @ USC carries a 58.5 market total

  58.5

  Washington at USC is at 58.5, 6.5 above the slate median of 52, so the market expects a game decided by offenses. The sheet has no team data to back it. The under needs stalled drives and field goals in place of touchdowns. If the first quarter looks quiet, the slate median is the more natural landing spot for a game like this.

• WASH: 16.8 points allowed per game to USC's 26.4

  9.6 PPG

  WASH is at 16.8 points allowed per game over 4 games; USC is at 26.4 over 5 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 2. Last season WASH was at 18.7 over 13 games and USC at 23 over 13 games.

TURNOVERS

• WASH: 2 takeaways per game to USC's 0.8

  1.2 TO

  Washington forces 2 takeaways a game over four games, and USC forces 0.8 over five. Washington has gotten the ball back far more often. Turnover rates swing from game to game, so Washington's mark is more likely to come down than hold. In this road game, the takeaway gap favors Washington, but it is a weaker edge than yardage gaps.

MISMATCH

• USC: 56.1% on third down to WASH's 34%

  56.1 VS 34

  USC is converting 56.1% of third downs over 5 games, close to last season's 51%, while Washington is at 34% over 4 games, way down from 50.3% last season. USC looks like itself, and Washington's drop is likely to bounce back some. At USC, Washington needs to stay ahead on early downs, because long third downs have been where its drives die this season.

REPLACEMENT

• Jayden Limar (RB) is out for WASH

  OUT

  Running back, listed out. Trent Mosley, Alex VanSumeren headline USC's injury report vs Washington (ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports) (2026-10-01)

• Jordan Washington (RB) is out for WASH

  OUT

  Running back, out with a severe neck injury. Trent Mosley, Alex VanSumeren headline USC's injury report vs Washington (ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports) (2026-10-01) USC football takes on Washington following demoralizing loss (Daily Trojan) (2026-10-02)

• Quaid Carr (RB) is out for WASH

  OUT

  Running back, listed out. Trent Mosley, Alex VanSumeren headline USC's injury report vs Washington (ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports) (2026-10-01)

• Corey Simms (WR) is out for USC

  OUT

  Wide receiver. Trent Mosley, Alex VanSumeren headline USC's injury report vs Washington (ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports) (2026-10-01) USC Trojans Injury Report Looms Large Before Washington Game (Sports Illustrated) (2026-10-02)

• Kendarius Reddick (S) is out for USC

  OUT

  Safety. Trent Mosley, Alex VanSumeren headline USC's injury report vs Washington (ClutchPoints via Yahoo Sports) (2026-10-01) USC Trojans Injury Report Looms Large Before Washington Game (Sports Illustrated) (2026-10-02)

• Kilian O'Connor (OL) is out for USC

  OUT

  Offensive lineman. USC Trojans Injury Report Looms Large Before Washington Game (Sports Illustrated) (2026-10-02)

• Desman Stephens II (LB) is suspended for USC

  SUSPENDED

  Junior linebacker, one-game suspension. USC football takes on Washington following demoralizing loss (Daily Trojan) (2026-10-02)

TEAM RECORD

• Big Ten game: WASH 0-1, USC 1-1 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big Ten. WASH is 0-1 against it, USC is 1-1. 2026 standings through 2026-10-03.

AFTER GARY

• USC -9.5 → -7.5

  NOW +2

  Gary's number was -9.5; the same book now shows -7.5.