How to watch WSU vs. USC

The Washington State Cougars and the USC Trojans each enter Saturday’s game with a 1-1 record, and each bring with them big questions about where their programs are heading — and the entire nation is going to get a front row seat as each attempts to sort some things out.

Kickoff time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT from Gesa Field in Pullman, with the game to be broadcast on Big FOX television. You can also stream the game online at foxsports.com or via the FOX Sports app (TV subscription required).

The biggest storyline obviously will surround the Trojans; anytime a marquee program fires its coach two games into a season — Clay Helton was let go on Monday — it’s going to be a big deal. They’re coming off a rather embarrassing loss to the Stanford Cardinal, and it will be interesting to see if the coaching change motivates the Trojans … or just inserts more chaos.

The Cougars, meanwhile, seem to have sorted some things out last week with a convincing win over Portland State, which followed a stunning season-opening loss to Utah State. The offensive line looked much better over the final three quarters, Jayden de Laura is now entrenched as the starter at QB and seemed to find a groove, and the defense was excellent until the deep backups entered the game in the fourth quarter.

In the back of everyone’s mind will be the way WSU was thumped by USC last season in a game where the talent disparity was clear. The Cougars will feature largely the same cast, so it will be interesting to see if experience — combined with USC’s issues — makes a difference.