Surprising Cougars out to end No. 6 Trojans' unbeaten start

Posted October 06, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Southern California wide receiver Jordan Addison, right, tries to fend off Arizona State defensive back Jordan Clark during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

Washington State (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at No. 6 Southern California (5-0, 3-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

Line: USC by 12 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series: USC leads 62-10-4.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Trojans haven't looked quite as sharp since entering the heart of Pac-12 play, but they kept winning with a 42-25 triumph over Arizona State. Even with a critical game at No. 11 Utah on deck, USC can't look past the upstart Cougars. Although they bounced back from their fourth-quarter implosion against No. 12 Oregon to handily defeat California 28-9, Washington State must win to keep their hopes of playing for a conference title intact.

KEY MATCHUP

Washington State CBs Chau Smith-Wade and Derrick Langford Jr. vs. USC WR Jordan Addison. The Cougars have had no answers for the Trojans' bevy of NFL-bound receivers the past two years, and how Smith-Wade and Langford fare against Addison could determine if they can pull off the upset. Addison had eight grabs for 105 yards against the Sun Devils and was the focal point of the pass attack, so Smith-Wade (20 tackles, two pass breakups, one interception) and Langford (14 tackles, one pass breakup) will have to be at their best.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Washington State: LB Daiyan Henley. The Nevada transfer and Los Angeles native has been one of the revelations in the Pac-12 through the first month of the season, leading the Cougars with 44 tackles, 9 1/2 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles.

USC: DT Tuli Tuipulotu. Tuipulotu continues to be the engine in the middle of the Trojans defensive line, picking up another 1 1/2 tackles for loss and one sack against Arizona State. He paces the team with 8 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks.

FACTS & FIGURES

USC has intercepted an FBS-best 12 passes. Nine different players have at least one pick. ... The Cougars lead the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (44) and rank second in sacks (18) ... Trojans QB Caleb Williams has thrown for 12 touchdowns against one interception. He has also rushed for three scores. ... Washington State QB Cameron Ward threw for three touchdowns against the Golden Bears, his 17th career game with at least three passing scores. ... USC converted 88.9% (8 of 9) on third down against Arizona State, the best mark in Pac-12 history. ... The Cougars have allowed 681 yards passing and nine touchdowns against two interceptions in their past two games against the Trojans. ... USC is 6-1 in its past seven home games against Washington State. '¦ Washington State has scored on 20 of 21 (95.2%) red-zone opportunities, including 16 touchdowns.

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Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, left, avoids a tackle by Arizona State defensive back Jordan Clark during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) The Associated Press

Washington State's Chau Smith-Wade is called for pass interfrerence on a pass intended for Wisconsin's Markus Allen (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) The Associated Press

FILE - Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley is a graduate transfer from Nevada, and looks like the steal of the transfer portal this year as the Cougars prepare to host No. 15 Oregon. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File) The Associated Press

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