Schedule analysis: Can USC host College GameDay in 2025?

With fewer than fifty days remaining until the start of the new USC football season, the Trojans are preparing for their second year as members of the Big Ten Conference. In this article, we take a comprehensive look at USC’s 2025 schedule and evaluate whether the Trojans are poised to host or appear in a game worthy of the prestige and pageantry that comes with ESPN’sCollege GameDay.

The first three weeks of the season see USC host Missouri State and Georgia Southern before hitting the road for their Big Ten opener against Purdue. Each game comes with its own storyline as Missouri State will be making its FBS debut, former USC head coach Clay Helton returns to Los Angeles leading Georgia Southern, and the Purdue matchup marks the Trojans’ first conference test of the year. While none of these games are strong candidates for College GameDay, the Purdue game holds the most intrigue. Still, with marquee national matchups like Georgia vs. Tennessee and Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M scheduled for Week 3, it’s likely that GameDay sets up elsewhere.

The next three games on USC’s schedule offer significantly stronger prospects for a College GameDay visit. The Trojans will host both Michigan State and Michigan at the Coliseum, with a road trip to Illinois sandwiched in between. While the Michigan State matchup is visually compelling with similar logos and helmet designs, it’s unlikely to be a ranked showdown. The Illinois game, however, presents a legitimate chance to be a top-25 matchup, particularly if both teams remain undefeated heading into that week.

Still, with Georgia and Alabama clashing that same weekend, GameDay is almost certain to spotlight that SEC showdown, barring a shocking start from either team. The real opportunity for USC comes the following week when Michigan visits the Coliseum. If the Trojans can handle business in Champaign, this game could easily become a top-10 battle and a national headliner. It would also provide a dramatic continuation of last season’s narrative for both programs.

While Oregon vs. Indiana and LSU vs. South Carolina are notable that same weekend, neither matchup currently carries the same weight or national intrigue. If rankings and momentum align, College GameDay could very well be making its way to Los Angeles. It is important to note that USC has a bye before the Michigan game.

USC’s next stretch includes two road games and a rare Friday night home contest. Following the high-stakes showdown against Michigan, the Trojans travel to South Bend for a marquee matchup with Notre Dame, their second game in Indiana this season. This rivalry game is always a candidate for College GameDay, and if both teams are ranked and coming off strong performances, it could easily earn the spotlight.

That said, it's rare for GameDay to feature the same team in back-to-back weeks, and Notre Dame may have already been showcased earlier in the season. Still, if records align, this game could be the betting favorite for the national stage. Alabama vs. Tennessee also looms that weekend and could compete for GameDay attention. After a well-timed bye week, USC travels to Nebraska and then hosts Northwestern on a Friday night. While both matchups are important for conference positioning, they’re unlikely to generate the national buzz needed for a College GameDay visit.

The final three games of USC’s regular season all take place on the West Coast, with two of them at home. The Trojans will host Iowa and crosstown rival UCLA, while a pivotal road trip to Eugene to face Oregon looms as a potential late season blockbuster. Of the three, the matchup against the Ducks stands out as the most likely to attract College GameDay.

Potential implications for USC

If both teams are in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth or a Big Ten Championship appearance, this game could dominate the national conversation. While there are a few intriguing SEC matchups on the schedule that same week, none may carry the same weight, especially if USC and Oregon enter the game highly ranked. In that scenario, GameDay could be all but certain to make its way to Autzen Stadium for one of the most anticipated games of the season.

There are several strong opportunities for USC to be featured on College GameDay this season. The most obvious is the highly anticipated home matchup against Michigan, which could bring GameDay to Los Angeles for a historic Big Ten showdown. On the road, games at Notre Dame and Oregon also stand out as prime candidates, given the national relevance and rivalry attached to both matchups. However, USC’s performance will ultimately determine its chances. If the Trojans don’t play at a high level, GameDay may pass them by. Winning and staying in the national conversation is the key to securing a spotlight game this season.