The USC Trojans (7-2, 4-2 in Pac-12) play host to the Washington Huskies (6-3, 4-2 in Pac-12) in the second-most exciting Pac-12 game of the weekend (behind Oregon- Stanford). Both teams have losses to only AP Top 25 teams this year and should put on a good show on Saturday. Despite relatively successful seasons by both squads, the opening line places the Trojans as 13-point favorites in this game.
The Huskies' total offense per game is just a shade better than USC's per-game average (33.6 points per game vs. 33.4 points her game). Where the two teams differ, however, is on the defensive end. Washington is allowing on-average about one more touchdown each game (33.4 points per game allowed) than USC (25.7 points per game allowed).
Despite that disparity, the Huskies should keep things close in this game. Washington is a better team than the nearly two-touchdown difference suggests and should be able to keep pace with USC's Matt Barkley-led offense. Huskies quarterback Keith Price should throw a few touchdowns- as he manages to do every week- while running back Chris Polk continues to build on his 1,000-yard rushing season.
The Trojans should be favored in this game, but the 13-point spread is too high. Expect a back-and-forth shootout between two strong offenses that could be decided by one touchdown or less.