How to watch USC vs. Washington State: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds

Washington State might be the worst team in the Pac-12 North, but the Cougars haven’t been easy outs for anyone this year. They took down Pac-12 South-leading Utah earlier this year, nearly took down Cal and went toe-to-toe with Oregon, though there were also the blowout losses to Arizona and Stanford. Much of their success has been due to the rise of QB Connor Halliday, whose become a master of Mike Leach’s air-raid offense.

This is a team that’s hard to predict, and despite it’s record, USC can’t be feeling all that comfortable heading into this one, especially with a lack of depth on the defensive line that needs to play big to slow down the Cougar offense.

Just like it’s been an up-and-down season for the Cougars, it’s been a similar one for the Trojans, though a bit less extreme. In Steve Sarkisian’s first season, USC has impressive wins over Arizona and Stanford, but it also has close losses to Boston College, Arizona State and Utah.

Which USC and which Wazzu will show up? That might determine whether this game is close or a USC blowout.

Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET

TV: Pac-12 Network

Radio: Tiger Network, Gamecock IMG Sports Network

Online streaming: Pac-12 Live

Rankings and records: USC is 5-3, while Washington State is 2-6. Neither team is ranked.

Vegas: USC opened as a 7-point favorite. The line is now 9.5. The over/under is 65, per Odds Shark.

Weather forecast: Chance of rain with a high of 46 and a low of 36.

If USC is going to have any chance to win the Pac-12 South, it has to win out. If the Trojans lose to Washington State, then the first season under Steve Sarkisian could definitely end up being a major disappointment.

Wazzu isn’t going to make a bowl game this year, but a win over USC would finally give the Cougars a win in a close game, and it would show that Mike Leach still has things headed in the right direction in Pullman.

USC offense vs. Washington State defense: The Washington State offense is going to get its points, thanks to Connor Halliday and the air raid. However, the Cougars’ defense has to show up for Mike Leach’s team to have a chance to pull the upset. USC junior quarterback Cody Kessler has quietly had a very good season for the Trojans, throwing 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions. The Washington State defense simply has to step up and limit Kessler for the Cougars to win. They don’t need to stop USC, but they have to at least not let Kessler have a career game.

Read Conquest Chronicles for more on USC and CougCenter for more on Washington State.