Trojans' Resilience Tested: USC vs. Washington - A Must-Win for CFP Hopes With their College Football Playoff aspirations on the line, the USC Trojans face a critical matchup against the Washington Huskies. The article details the key players, including returning defensive star Jahkeem Stewart, and the strategic focus needed to end USC's five-game losing streak against the Ducks and secure a victory to restore confidence. Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the field during warm ups before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The No. 18 USC Trojans' resilience will be tested on Saturday against the Washington Huskies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum afterAfter their fifth straight loss in their heated rivalry series with the Ducks, the Trojans' College Football Playoff chances took a major hit, making this upcoming matchup against the Huskies a must-win for coach Lincoln Riley's USC squad. Sep 4, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches against the Fresno State Bulldogs in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.USC Injuries Loom For Huskies MatchMandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect While the Trojans did see the return of star sophomore defensive end Jahkeem Stewart in the loss to the Ducks, USC was without a handful of notable players that they hope could return for the matchup against the Huskies, including freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury. With the Trojans' season and CFP aspirations essentially on the line when they face the Huskies on Saturday, here's a look at USC's current injuries, per Wednesday's Big Ten availability report for the pivotal matchup against Washington.Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley walks off the field after the game against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect After yet another double-digit loss to the Ducks on Saturday at the Coliseum, some fans have already lost hope in the Trojans' goals of reaching the CFP and are even losing faith in The best way to reignite that confidence is to start with a win over the Huskies on Saturday at the Coliseum.The Trojans have struggled against their former Pac-12 rival, the Huskies, having lost three straight games to the Huskies, with their last win coming in 2016. Winning to reignite confidence within the USC fanbase is a sentiment that Riley shares, as he mentioned during Tuesday's press conference.Riley Urges Victory To Reignite Hope"By winning, just by winning," Riley said. "Look, we didn't get run out of the stadium. There's a lot of good things on that tape, there's a lot of young guys making a lot of plays, there's a lot of good on that tape." "You don't have a chance to win like that if you don't do some things pretty well. We gotta capitalize on those and we got to attack the areas we gotta be better at. We got another great opportunity to do it here Saturday against Washington. We're ready for them," Riley continued.Saturday's matchup against the Huskies is the second of a six-game gauntlet for the Trojans. Following Saturday's game against the Huskies, the Trojans will play the Penn State Nittany Lions (Oct. 10), Wisconsin Badgers (Oct. 24), No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (Oct. 31), and No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers (Nov. 14).Tough Six Game Stretch AheadSep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) warms up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The results of these games will determine the Trojans' season and whether they deliver for a fanbase that is desperate to return to the championship stage.The closest the Trojans have come to making the CFP was during former quarterback Caleb Williams Heisman Trophy season and Riley's first year in 2022, when USC finished at 11-3 overall. Two of those losses that season came to the Utah Utes, which ultimately kept them out of the CFP. USC closed the season with a disappointing 46-45 loss to the Tulane Green Wave in the Cotton Bowl.Sep 19, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (1) participates in pregame warmups against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The Huskies enter Los Angeles also fresh off a disappointing loss.Huskies QB Threatens USC DefenseAfter struggling to start the season 3-0 with two uninspiring wins over the Washington State Cougars and Utah State Aggies, the Huskies finally fell flat, losing at home 27-24 to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Despite his struggles in the loss to the Golden Gophers, Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is a player the Trojans' secondary must plan for as he will challenge a USC group that continues to struggle even under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.Williams has thrown for 1,129 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions with a 69.3 completion percentage in four games with the Huskies.