The Huskies defense will be tasked with mitigating the explosive plays of the USC offense, whereas the UW offense will have to find openings against an athletic defense.
The Washington Huskies football team is currently in Los Angeles preparing for its first road game of the season, which will take place against the No. 18 Southern California (USC) Trojans at 4:30 p.m. PT at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Huskies will enter the game 3-1 and 0-1 in Big Ten play. UW fell completely out of Top 25 consideration and didn't receive a vote in the latest poll from the Associated Press following its 27-24 loss against Minnesota. That loss adds more pressure for Washington get back on the right track and take down USC and get back into Top 25 consideration.
The Trojans will also be looking to bounce back after a 41-27 loss to the No. 15 Oregon Ducks on Sept. 26.
Washington's defense will be tasked with stopping an athletic and fast offense that has broken off explosive plays consistently this year. The offense, which has struggled to find its footing through the first four games of the season, will have to find openings against a USC defense that's just as athletic and speedy.
"They're going to be a team that rallies to the ball quickly," Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch said in a weekly news conference Thursday. "Because of (Trojans safety Kennedy Urlacher's) speed at slot, because of the speed around the edges that Luke Wafle is gonna give them and some of their secondary — I think their safeties are really, really good. And we got to be ready there. I think (senior safety) Christian Pierce is probably one of the best players that we'll face. We're gonna have to block the perimeter. And we're gonna have to get our receivers in that second-level blocking. I think that'll make a huge difference."
Three of Washington's four games this season have been against Football Subdivision (FBS) opponents. The Huskies didn't score more than 24 points against any of those opponents. They haven't scored in the third quarter in those contests, either.
Washington could potentially get a boost in the trenches for its first road game of the season. Fourth-year center Landen Hatchett has been listed as questionable in the team's injury report this season and will be a gametime decision for Saturday.
Hatchett has missed all four of the team's games this season due to a wrist injury he suffered last year that has resulted in him undergoing two surgeries. He was named to the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the best center in the country.
