Pac-12 loses lone unbeaten team as Washington falls to USC

Darreus Rogers had six catches for 84 yards and a TD. (Getty)

Are we looking at a curse of No. 4?

Less than a week after jumping to No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, Washington’s unbeaten season disappeared with a 26-13 loss to No. 20 USC.

The Huskies jumped into the top four in the second edition of the rankings thanks to a loss by then No. 4 Texas A&M last week. Five days after being posted at No. 4 in the initial batch of the rankings, the Aggies lost quarterback Trevor Knight for the season while falling to Mississippi State.

Much of Washington’s success in 2016 was predicated on quarterback Jake Browning’s ability to avoid turnovers. The sophomore entered the game with 34 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He threw two vs. the Trojans. And star USC cornerback Adoree Jackson had both of them.

Jackson’s second pick of the night came with about four minutes to go. Washington had gotten the ball back down 11 with plenty of time for two scores. But as Browning rolled right, he threw across his body to the left and Jackson jumped the route for the easy interception.

While Jackson shined, so did USC’s defensive front. Browning and his receivers weren’t completely in sync all night long. USC’s constant pressure had something to do with that. It was so persistent that it even apparently confused the Pac-12 officials at one point in the first half. One of Browning’s passes was knocked down so close to him that officials initially reviewed it a fumble and subsequent touchdown for USC before seeing how ridiculously wrong the call was via replay.

Washington couldn’t get the run game going either. The Huskies had just 43 yards on 27 carries. Running back Myles Gaskin carried the ball 15 times for 51 yards; his lowest output of the season. And linebacker Azeem Victor, the team’s leading tackler, suffered a left foot injury in the first half and did not return.

USC freshman quarterback Sam Darnold also showed why he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the conference, and maybe even the country. It’s no coincidence that USC has started to play like a top-15 team with Darnold under center and while he threw two interceptions, he went 23-33 passing for 287 yards also threw two touchdowns.

His favorite targets were wide receiver Darreus Rogers and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe. Each had at least five catches and a touchdown catch.

All is far from lost for Washington when it comes to the College Football Playoff, however. ACC favorites Clemson lost earlier Saturday and the Big 12’s frontrunners either have two losses (Oklahoma) or are buried in the committee’s rankings (West Virginia). If Washington wins out and wins the Pac-12 Championship Game, it’s likely in the playoff.

But USC just provided the blueprint for how to defeat the Huskies.