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San Jose State (0-0) at USC (0-0)
- When: Aug 29 2026, 3:00 PM
- Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
- Where to watch: NBC/Peacock
Last Meeting: USC 56-28, August 26th, 2023
San Jose State vs (14) USC Preview & Prediction
Spread: USC -39.0
Moneyline: USC (-50000)
Total: 61.0
USC Has Expectations. Lots of Them.
Lincoln Riley enters Year 5 at USC with the No. 14 Trojans carrying legitimate playoff expectations and a spread large enough to require its own zip code.
Riley is 35-18 through four seasons in Los Angeles, and USC returns 12 starters from last year’s 9-4 squad. The Trojans haven’t reached the College Football Playoff under Riley yet, so apparently winning nine games in Hollywood now qualifies as a crisis.
Maiava Leads the Fireworks
Jayden Maiava returns after throwing for 3,711 yards and producing 30 total touchdowns across 13 games last season. USC also brings back an experienced offensive line, while 17-year-old freshman receiver Boobie Feaster could see immediate action after impressing throughout camp.
Translation: USC has plenty of toys, and Riley probably intends to use all of them.
The bigger intrigue comes defensively, where former TCU coach Gary Patterson takes over. Patterson produced five No. 1-ranked defenses during his time at TCU, while junior linebacker Desman Stephens II has generated serious preseason buzz.
San Jose State Brings the Rebuild
San Jose State finished just 3-9 last season and enters with 33 transfers.
Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver won the quarterback job over Robert McDaniel and Daniel Rolovich. Weaver owns only two career starts but brings mobility and the ability to extend plays.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo owns 119 career victories, but he’s just 2-4 against Big Ten opponents. Unfortunately, USC isn’t exactly the ideal place to improve that résumé.
LVSB Betting Prediction
USC is favored by 39.0 with the total sitting at 61.0.
That’s an enormous number, but the talent gap is even bigger. San Jose State may hang around for approximately one commercial break before USC starts treating the Coliseum scoreboard like a pinball machine.
LVSB Score Prediction
Pick: USC -39.0
Total: Over 61.0
- NCAA Football Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
