University of Washington Huskies +44.5 (0-7) 1-6 ATS, 4-3 O/U at No. 7 USC Trojans -44.5 (6-1) 4-3 ATS, 2-5 O/U Saturday, November 1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (92,000) Los Angeles, California 6:30 p.m. EST
By Wilson of Predictem.com
The USC Trojans got quite a scare last week as they nearly faltered against a tough University of Arizona Wildcats team. The Trojans sneaked out of that game with a 17-10 victory. This weeks game will likely be much less dramatic for USC as the PAC-10s most deflated, winless team crawls into town. Yes, those Washington Huskies do have something to shoot for- if they beat USC this weekend it just might be the biggest upset in sports history! Shucks, I just want them to cover the 44.5, but even that seems impossible unless Trojan head coach Pete Carroll decides to play the fifth stringers; now that might be a good game!
USC was indeed in need of another gut check as they bounced back pretty well after Oregon State beat them in Corvallis. The Wildcats came to play last week and it was not until USC QB Mark Sanchez connected with Stanley Havili for a 30-yard TD pass with less than 8 minutes remaining in the game that allowed the Trojans to take the lead for good.
Sanchez was not at his best as he threw 1 pick and fumbled the ball during a crucial series. He did complete 21-of-36 for 216 yards and 1 TD. Running back Stefon Johnson had 19 carries for 83 yards and 1 TD. However, the Trojans offense was not the normal power horse that the nation has seen during the last few weeks.
It was the Trojan defense that continued to shut down their opponents. USC held Arizonas QB Willie Tuitama to just 88 yards when his average was 222 coming into the game. Overall, the Trojans held the Wildcats to a total of 188 yards on offense.
The Washington Huskies limp into Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a 0-7 record and no sign of relief. The Huskies are without their starting QB, Jake Locker, due to injury. Redshirt freshman, Ronnie Fouch was behind center against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last Saturday as the Huskies took another pounding 33-7. Fouch was 11-of-25 for 98 yards and 1 TD. The Td came late in the game when Notre Dame had their bench players on the field.
Huskies head coach Tyrone Willingham has said that he will resign at the end of this season. Willingham made it very clear that he was forced to make this decision. He was fired from Notre Dame in 2004, and now it appears to be U of Ws turn to pull the trigger. Coach Willingham was incredibly stoic as the Husky fans booed him during and after the Notre Dame game. Im sure all of those fans can coach a D-1 college football team better than him- wasnt booing banned in like, the third grade?
This game is a no-brainer. If the Trojans lose to the Huskies Im going straight to the airport, buying a ticket to Vegas, and putting all of my money into the Megabucks slot machine at the Hilton!
Wilsons Pick: USC wins big, but doesn’t cover the enormous line of -44.5.
