Rece Davis believes USC will win, cover against UCLA
USC and UCLA are both limping into Saturday’s rivalry matchup. The Trojans have lost four of their past five games entering their season finale, while UCLA is on a two-game losing streak.
For USC, the problem all season has been defense. Meanwhile, the Bruins have struggled mightily on offense as of late.
ESPN host Rece Davis made his pick for the game on the College GameDay podcast earlier this week. Davis expects the Trojans to come out on top and cover the five-point spread.
“UCLA has not inspired a great deal of confidence. SC has been bitterly disappointed by the last couple of games. I think they respond offensively, and I just don’t think there’s any way UCLA can attempt to keep up,” Davis said. “So I’m going to take the Trojans and take the Trojans to win and cover.”
Saturday’s game could be the last college game for USC star quarterback Caleb Williams.
The potential No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft has yet to announce his NFL decision, but Williams is expected to turn pro after this season. He also could opt out of whatever bowl game USC ends up in.
If Saturday is indeed Williams’ final college game, Davis expects him to go out on a high note.
“This could be Caleb Williams’ final game. Now, maybe he plays in the bowl game. Bryce Young and Will Anderson did last year. It’s not going to be the same level of bowl game that those two played in. But there are insurance policies and things of that sort, and perhaps that’s what Caleb wants to do,” Davis said.
“But there’s also the possibility that this is his final game in college as a Trojan and that he goes on to the NFL.”
Lincoln Riley has not addressed bowl game decision with Caleb Williams
Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley spoke Thursday and shared if he has thought about the possibility that this could be the final game for Caleb Williams in a USC uniform.
“I haven’t thought about that that much. Just kind of in the moment. In the moment here for the opportunity,” Riley said. “We haven’t had any specific discussions towards it. I mean we obviously look at the setup of the staff and we obviously spend a lot of time together, so yea, I think we’ve both just stayed hyper-focused on trying to do our jobs and be at our best and try and help us win a rivalry game this week.”
USC entered the season as a College Football Playoff contender but is currently 7-4 heading into Saturday’s regular season finale. The Trojans have dropped four of their past five games, with defense being the major issue.
Riley needs to hire a new defensive coordinator after firing Alex Grinch, and he will almost assuredly have to replace starting quarterback Caleb Williams, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL Draft. However, Riley isn’t focused on any of that at the moment.
“Honestly, it’s been business as normal this week and trying to get a good plan together against a really good defense and try to be ready to go play,” Riley said.