USC should have no problems putting up huge offensive numbers on Saturday

USC football is officially back. As the Trojans dive into game week for their season-opening clash against San Jose State, we're ready to start up the weekly predictions and break down the first game of the season.

The Trojans are stepping into the season with a top-15 ranking and with expectations to make the 12-team bracket for the college football playoffs. They are massive favorites against the in-state opponent and this is a nice showcase for the program at the start of what should be an exciting 2026 campaign.

Expect USC to hang at least half a hundred on overmatched Spartans

It is fantastic to be back in action, and I can genuinely feel the electric excitement surrounding this USC program for the 2026 season. The team has achieved so much heading into this year, from the debut of the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruiting class and a new Gary Patterson-led defense to what will be Jayden Maiava's third and final season under Lincoln Riley.

While a USC victory is the consensus among media outlets and sportsbooks, my focus for this opener is the team’s overall performance. The Trojans don’t need to be perfect right out of the gate, and they likely won’t be as they work through the non-conference schedule. However, I expect this game to serve as an early warning to the rest of the country regarding Jayden Maiava’s potential for the 2026 season. Given Lincoln Riley’s track record with quarterbacks and Maiava’s dominance in the Big Ten last year, I anticipate he will pick up exactly where he left off in 2025 and hit the ground running immediately.

Ultimately, the Trojans simply possess too much talent for San Jose State to keep pace. I expect Lincoln Riley and his staff to play conservatively, keeping the playbook relatively closed on both sides of the ball while coasting to a decisive victory.

Prediction: USC 52, San Jose State 10

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