Washington State Cougars: Game 3 vs. USC – injuries, weather, odds, and more
Washington State Football continues this week as the Cougars host USC. Pacific Northwest Sports has all you need to know.
PNWS presents what you need to know as the Washington State Cougars hosts the USC Trojans. Whether you are going to see the game live at Martin Stadium or watching it on television, we have Washington State football fans covered.
Details
Who: USC Trojans (1-1) at Washington State Cougars (1-1).
Where: Martin Stadium – Pullman, WA
When: Saturday, October 18, 2021 – 12:30 p.m. PST.
TV: Fox. Announcers: Joe Davis and Brock Huard.
Weather: Early game rains settle down as the game rolls on. Expect wet conditions throughout the day with temperatures in the mid-50s and light winds.
Line: Washington State +7.5. Over/Under: 62 (Odds Shark).
Interesting Trends: Washington State defends its home turf like a cougar mother guarding her cubs. The Cougars won 17 of their last 21 games at Martin Stadium. That’s the good news. Unfortunately, WSU is on a five-game losing streak against the spread.
On the one hand, USC is a trainwreck. The Trojansfired head coach Clay Helton this week after an embarrassing home loss to Stanford last week. On the other, they still won 8 of their last 10 games. USC is also riding a five-game road winning streak.
Injury Report
Washington State Cougars
Out – WR Renard Bell (knee). Questionable – QB Jarrett Guarantano (knee), DB Armani Marsh (undisclosed), DB Armauni Archie (undisclosed), DB Jaylon Watson (undisclosed).
USC Trojans
Out – S Briton Allen, WR Bru McCoy. Probable – DL Nick Figuroa (shoulder), DL Korey Foreman. Questionable – TE Josh Falo (arm), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (quarantine), EDGE Drake Jackson (thigh), RB Kenan Christon (undisclosed), CB Adonis Otey (wrist), CB Chris Steele (foot).
Last Game
Portland State 24 – Washington State 44
The Cougars should have beaten Portland State soundly in Pullman and did. They broke a 7-7 tie a the 9:10 mark of the second quarter and never looked back.
Jayden de Laura completed over 72 percent of his passes, totaling 303 yards and three TDs. He also ran for 23 yards and another score.
Travell Harris was his main target with six catches for 80 yards and two trips to the endzone. There was more. He had a 50-yard kickoff return and brought back 58 punt return yards on three attempts.
Stanford 42 – USC 28
It was ugly at the Los Angeles Coliseum last weekend. Stanford scored a touchdown with nine seconds to go before the end of the first half t go up 21-10. From there, they outscored USC 21-3 through the mid-point of quarter four. The Trojans rallied for two touchdowns late but still fell 14 points short.
Junior quarterback Kedon Slovis went 27 of 42 with 223 yards, a touchdown, and a pick-six. Running back Vavae Malepeai finished with 102 yards from scrimmage.
Outlook
Southern Cal may be down, but they are still USC. That means they are very talented and deep. Last week de Laura showed what he could do if he gets some time to throw. The Trojans will get a heavy dose of Max Borghi either running or catching passes out of the backfield.
To have a chance on Saturday, the Washington State Cougars defense has to step up. They’ll need to double receiver Drake London. The biggest task, however, is to slow down USC running backs Malepeai and Keaontay Ingram.
I like Wazzu to cover at home. They have a 50/50 shot at winning, depending on how rattled USC is from the coaching shuffle.
It's Washington State gameday, as the Cougars host USC at 12:30 p.m. on FOX.
WSU will wear its "All-Anthracite" uniforms hoping to recreate the magic of its upset win in 2017. pic.twitter.com/dzpCcE0Kq4
— Spokesman Sports (@SpokesmanSports) September 18, 2021
Catch up with PNWS on Sunday when we present our biggest takeaways from the game.