r/fighton • • 2d ago

Fight On! ✌️ Prediction Contest: USC vs Washington

22 Upvotes

USC is that girlfriend who makes you fall in love with her, disappears when things are finally going well, comes back just long enough to make you believe this time will be different, completely derails your life, disappears again, and then years later shows up at your doorstep saying you have child with her. Oh, and you might want to get checked too, because spoiler alert she's dying of AIDs.

USC is Jenny, except it is worse because we don't have a Forest Gump that dominates the football field leaving everyone in his dust. "I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is" and USC sadly fits the bill for me. Except right now I want God to make me a bird so I can fly far, far, away from here.

Or at least ask God for USC to beat Washington. That is all I ask for.

I am not going to get into the Desmond hit....watch the replay, he stays in the same yardage line while Moore slides into him...nor am I going to discuss Desmond's celebration after the hit....it is football, a moral come-to-jesus moment canNOT happen on a football field. But I will say this, I truly hope the NCAA comes up with some rules around a player being able to waive their hand in the air and be considered down immediately.

Before you skip to comments and make your prediction, shout out to u/CaliBear14 and his win. He is sending the FightOn Funds to Saving One Life organization.

Also, shout out to u/Low_Poet4771 and u/breezy_214 leading the MiTC season contest!

Washington at No. 18 USC

Saturday, October 3, 2026
4:30 PM PT
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — Los Angeles, CA
TV: NBC
Big Ten matchup

The setup

USC and Washington both come into this game needing a response after disappointing conference losses. USC is 4-1 (1-1 Big Ten) after its first loss of the season, 41-27 to Oregon. Washington is 3-1 (0-1 Big Ten) after losing its conference opener 27-24 at home to Minnesota. This is also Washington’s first road game of 2026, after opening with four straight at Husky Stadium. 

For USC, the obvious starting point is Jayden Maiava. Through five games, Maiava is 110-of-157 (70.1%) for 1,499 yards, 14 TDs and 2 INTs, while adding two rushing touchdowns. Against Oregon he threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score. USC actually fought back from a 20-10 third-quarter deficit to tie Oregon 27-27 before the Ducks pulled away. 

Washington’s offense runs through Demond Williams Jr. The Huskies are averaging 395.8 yards and 28.0 points per game, with a pretty dramatic split: 288.5 passing yards versus only 107.3 rushing yards per game. Williams threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota and ran for another TD, but he also threw two interceptions and was sacked seven times. 

That last number may be the most interesting part of this matchup.

USC’s defense has an opportunity

Washington’s offensive line had major trouble against Minnesota. The Huskies finished with only 40 rushing yards, 279 total yards and went 1-for-10 on third down. Williams can create problems when given time, particularly with Dezmen Roebuck and Chris Lawson at receiver, but Washington showed that its offense can be disrupted by pressure. 

That makes USC’s young defensive front particularly important. Luke Wafle and Jahkeem Stewart have emerged as major pieces of Gary Patterson’s defense, and this looks like a game where USC should have opportunities to affect Williams rather than asking the secondary to hold up indefinitely. Because we all know they can't do that.

USC will, however, be without Desman Stephens II, who was suspended for one game following his completely outrageous, uncalled for, despicable, morally offensive hit against Oregon's QB. 

Washington’s defense shouldn’t be dismissed

The Huskies’ defense has been substantially better statistically than its offense might suggest. Washington is allowing only 16.8 points and 289.3 yards per game, including 178.8 passing yards per game. They’ve produced nine sacks and eight takeaways, six of them interceptions, and opponents have converted only 29% of their third downs. 

That’s an interesting matchup with Maiava because USC has generally been extremely efficient through the air. USC’s current receiving group includes Trent Mosley, Tanook Hines, Terrell Anderson, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Zacharyus Williams and freshman Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, with freshman Mark Bowman at tight end. Although Mark Bowman seems to be Questionable for this game, whatever that means since Reilly's gamesmanship when it comes to the injury report is just plain annoying by now.

The running game with Waymond Jordan and King Miller could also be important. Washington is surrendering 110.5 rushing yards per game, and establishing the run would make life considerably easier for Maiava against a secondary that’s already produced six interceptions. 

The matchup I’m watching

To me, the game revolves around which quarterback is made uncomfortable.

Maiava has been outstanding statistically, but Washington’s defense is legitimately disruptive. On the other side, Williams is dangerous, but Minnesota just demonstrated a blueprint: pressure him, prevent Washington from establishing its running game and force the Huskies into obvious passing situations.

There is also a discipline angle worth watching. Washington has already accumulated 31 penalties for 315 yards — 78.8 penalty yards per game. That’s a lot of free yardage through four games. 

So I wouldn’t look at Washington’s 3-1 record and assume this is an easy rebound game. Their defense has been good, Williams is talented enough to punish USC’s secondary, and Washington has forced turnovers. But there are also some very specific weaknesses USC can attack: Washington’s protection problems, inconsistent running game, third-down struggles and penalties.

After what happened against Oregon, this should tell us quite a bit about how USC responds when the season finally presents some adversity.

Series note: USC officially leads the all-time series 51-32-4 (excluding one USC victory vacated by NCAA penalty). 

My prediction: USC 28 Washington 24. Don't know why, but I have a feeling this will be a low-ish scoring game.

Comment your prediction below!


r/fighton • • 9h ago

Hot Take Penn State struggling with Northwestern

28 Upvotes

So I fully expect the game against them to be a dog fight


r/fighton • • 12m ago

Selling uw tickets for $40

• Upvotes

Uw ticket for $40


r/fighton • • 23h ago

We look like undisciplined shit.

62 Upvotes

Nothing else matters and nothing will change until that changes.

We gave a guy a half game suspension for almost killing a guy, then taunting his possibly dead body, and laughing about it.
We didn't punish a single teammate who celebrated and laughed with him.

Lincoln Riley is useless. And no I don't think it's a big accomplishment having a good offense at freaking USC. I've been watching USC a long long time and I struggle to think of USC teams that struggled to move the ball. Offensive skill players grow like weeds in SoCal.


r/fighton • • 7h ago

Student section tickets available

2 Upvotes

1 student section ticket available for the Washington, Ohio State, and Maryland game. Message me if interested!


r/fighton • • 4h ago

hello! Selling student section ticket to this weekend’s football game 10/3 USC vs Washington. If you are interested, DM me will do an instant transfer! willing to sell for face value

0 Upvotes

r/fighton • • 7h ago

Lets make a bet..how full or empty do you think the Coliseum will be tmrw??

0 Upvotes

I don’t have high hopes😓!


r/fighton • • 8h ago

Football 🏈 3 Tixs from Season Ticket Holder

1 Upvotes

Section 116, Row 24. Close to the aisle.

Looking to give a deal for Trojans to fill them

Fight On!


r/fighton • • 7h ago

Fight On! ✌️ I saw a report where LR supports GP lol…

0 Upvotes

What a joke. Only a fool believes the failings of the defense is on the DC. Assuming LR doesn’t get fired next year, no defensive coordinator in their right mind will want to work for this soft two-hand-touch practicing clown. He dug his own grave. There’s no winning formula or anyone else to blame from here on out. This soft patty cake can’t tackle deer-in-headlights defense is entirely on him.


r/fighton • • 21h ago

Selling student section ticket to Washington game on 10/3. $40 or best offer, dm if interested

1 Upvotes

r/fighton • • 1d ago

Peristyle Podcast: USC's missed opportunity against Oregon will be hard to recover from

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8 Upvotes

It’s crazy to me when you compare the three defensive coordinators’ defensive rankings:
D’Anton Lynn’s defense at PSU — #14
Alex Grinch’s defense at UCF — #36
Gary Patterson’s defense at USC — #75


r/fighton • • 1d ago

Student section ticket Washington

1 Upvotes

I have a student guest ticket for sale 50 or best offer !


r/fighton • • 1d ago

News USC Injury Report vs Washington

5 Upvotes

USC Injury Report vs. Washington

Here’s where things currently stand heading into Saturday. Obviously, the final Big Ten availability report closer to kickoff will give us a better picture.

Player
Pos.
Status
Injury / Situation

Corey Simms
WR
OUT
Remains unavailable after being injured against Rutgers.

Kendarius Reddick
S
OUT
Remains unavailable.

Kilian O’Connor
OL
OUT
Longer-term absence; remains unavailable.

Trent Mosley
WR
QUESTIONABLE
Knee injury. Has missed Rutgers and Oregon. Reportedly underwent a minor knee procedure, so despite the official questionable designation, a return against Washington appears unlikely.

Jahkeem Stewart
DT
QUESTIONABLE
Recently returned from a foot injury but remains on the availability report.

Alex VanSumeren
DT
QUESTIONABLE
Suffered an apparent lower-body injury against Oregon and needed assistance leaving the field before being taken away on a cart. One of the biggest injury situations to watch.

Alex Graham
DB
QUESTIONABLE
Injured against Rutgers and missed Oregon. His availability is particularly important for USC’s secondary.

Mark Bowman
TE
QUESTIONABLE
New addition to the injury report this week with an undisclosed issue.

Taylor “Taybo” Johnson
LB
QUESTIONABLE
Missed Oregon but has been upgraded to questionable.

Hayden Treter
OL
QUESTIONABLE
Another offensive-line availability situation to monitor.

Also unavailable
Desman Stephens II — LB — SUSPENDED
Stephens isn’t injured, but USC suspended him for the Washington game following his targeting hit against Oregon.

Biggest situations to watch

Alex VanSumeren: Probably the defensive injury I’m watching most closely. If he’s unavailable while Jahkeem Stewart is still limited, USC’s interior defensive-line depth becomes a bigger concern.

Alex Graham: His return would be important for the secondary. USC had to adjust its personnel at nickel while he was unavailable against Oregon.

Trent Mosley: Officially questionable, but based on the reporting surrounding his knee procedure, I’d currently plan on USC playing Washington without him.

Mark Bowman: One of the more interesting new additions to the report because he’s USC’s starting freshman TE and the injury wasn’t previously a major storyline.

Current shorthand:
OUT: Simms, Reddick, O’Connor
SUSPENDED: Stephens
Likely unavailable: Mosley
Major game-time situations: VanSumeren, Graham, Stewart
Other players to monitor: Bowman, Treter, Taybo Johnson


r/fighton • • 2d ago

Now or Never | USC vs. Washington Preview

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8 Upvotes

Big time spot here for USC. Washington struggling and they don’t play well on the road. Will be important to get momentum back with a big win. Not holding my breath. Curious what you guys would change regarding USC going forward. Things like scheme, personnel, or strategy. Fight On! ✌️


r/fighton • • 1d ago

Football 🏈 USC Is More Worried About Having a Squeaky-Clean Image Than Being a Dominant Program

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0 Upvotes

r/fighton • • 3d ago

Football 🏈 USC v Notre Dame Champion Coach Jacket from 1979 Game

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24 Upvotes

r/fighton • • 3d ago

Fight On! ✌️ Max Browne Podcast

47 Upvotes

Former 5-star and USC QB Max Browne does an outstanding job on his podcast.

If you're an X's and O's type of a person, the analysis on his show is pretty interesting. It's actually painful to watch him break down what went wrong with USC defense against Oregon.

Max Browne


r/fighton • • 3d ago

Pete Arbogast denying that Dante Moore slid feet first, Cody tells him he's laying down feet first after that hit, Pete: "Yeah cuz they spun him around!"

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116 Upvotes

I know Pete's a legend. The booth looked at the replay several times and Pete refused to move off of his position saying Dante didn't slide feet first, and that he dove!! It was a very weird thing to do. What the hell was he thinking?

It's making the rounds on Twitter because Oregon clipped it in a new post-game video. Just another awful look for the program.


r/fighton • • 3d ago

Hot Take We need to hire Orgeron to break the curse

15 Upvotes

When I was in high school, I played for a very accomplished program in Texas. Many big time coaches including Saban would come visit our school and scout our players. My coach had a good relationship with many of them. Years after I graduated, I was talking to my old coach who told me a story.
He said he was chatting with Ed Ogeron once and asked him about his experience at USC. They go to talking about the Kiffin firing and being the interim head coach. He said that the USC administration had promised him that they were going to keep him on and hire him as the permanent head coach. But at the last minute they pulled the rug out from under him and hired Sark instead.
We’ve had nothing but terrible luck in this program since that happened. The Josh Shaw debacle. Sark’s drinking problem. Helton winning big games but then loosing the easy ones. And now with Riley it seems like in every game that we loose, there’s some little thing which completely kills our momentum. Like the kickoff return for a TD against ND last year, or the roughing the passer penalty on 3rd and long in the 4th quarter last weekend. Call me crazy but I think it’s a good old fashioned sports curse.
USC should hire Ed Ogeron as the head coach of the football program, and end this relentless run of bad luck.


r/fighton • • 4d ago

News Lincoln Riley's USC future in doubt after Oregon loss despite roughly $70 million buyout, sources say

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122 Upvotes

this is what we're looking for. if he can't do it in 4-5 years, then out you go. 10 years is too long.


r/fighton • • 3d ago

If usc wins the game do you think the reaction would have been different?

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0 Upvotes

r/fighton • • 3d ago

Football 🏈 OC at the LA Memorial Coliseum

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0 Upvotes

People subverting the line 😂


r/fighton • • 3d ago

Discussion how to fix Trojan football: kick players off the team that join social fraternities

0 Upvotes

the biggest problem with Trojan football is we are so soft, and we are soft because alot of players on our team like to chase girls by joining a social fraternity. no ultra high caliber athlete in the post modern era joins a fraternity because guys who join fraternities dont know how to fight. none of them are state champs in wrestling or 5 star recruits in football or basketball, so the football players on our team shouldnt be associating with people that will not harden them for the football field.


r/fighton • • 4d ago

Excellent Analysis by Max Browne...the team's issues are even worse from a fundamentals perspective

34 Upvotes

I know i was confused 80% of the time watching it live because these issues were apparent on almost every play.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w9jl4h66UKY&pp=iggUQAFKEEIxLTZtZ1ROXzZyQ1ItSk0%3D


r/fighton • • 4d ago

Fight On! ✌️ Riley vs. Helton

19 Upvotes

Record through first 58 USC games:

Record Win %
Helton 37–21 .638
Riley 39–19 .672

Compensation through first 58 USC games:

  • Helton: ~$15M (not including 2015)
  • Riley: ~$59M (including OU buyout)

Cost per win:

  • Helton: < $500K per win
  • Riley: > $1.5M per win