PREVIEW AND PREDICTION: Week 0 College Football Edition

USC vs. San José State

Saturday, Aug. 29 – 12:00 p.m. PT | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Live on: NBC

Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck | Reporter: Colin Costigan

Preview

The Trojans open the 2026 season at the Coliseum against San José State in a Week 0 matchup, and the program has made its message clear all offseason: the time is now.

Lincoln Riley is 9-0 in season openers, and this will be the second time he has faced the Spartans in one. USC rolled 56-28 in the 2023 meeting and sits 6-0 all-time against San José State, with every game played in Los Angeles.

Jayden Maiava returns as the clear starter after leading the nation with a 91.2 QBR and the Big Ten with 3,711 passing yards in 2025. The redshirt senior completed 65.8 percent of his throws for 24 touchdowns, added six rushing scores, and enters the year with 31 career starts. Waymond Jordan returns healthy after a midseason All-American start, while King Miller stepped up last year for 972 yards and eight touchdowns. The offensive line brings back four starters and 69 combined career starts.

On defense, Gary Patterson takes over and looks to elevate a group that already returns production up front from Jide Abasiri, Braylan Shelby, Kameryn Crawford, and Jahkeem Stewart. Desman Stephens II leads the linebackers after posting 89 tackles, and the secondary gets portal corner Jontez Williams back from injury.

San José State arrives after a 3-9 season with 48 new players on the roster and only three current starters who logged six or more starts last year. Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver is the new quarterback. The Spartans have plenty of connections to the Trojans through high schools and previous stops, but they face a steep talent gap on both sides of the ball.

JPWest Media photographer Jeremy Westerbeck and reporter Colin Costigan will both be on site at the Coliseum.

Prediction

USC’s depth, experience, and balance on both sides of the ball should take over early and never look back.

JP’s Pick: USC 45, San José State 17