Week 1 picks for likely massive USC victory

Week 1 of the 2025 college football season has finally arrived. USC turns its attention to Missouri State for the official season opener as the Bears get ready to compete in their first-ever FBS-level football game. The months of offseason chatter, such as recruiting battles, coaching changes, and transfer portal movement, are behind us. From here on out, the focus shifts entirely to the field, where results will do the talking.

As mentioned, USC opens against Missouri State, now a member of Conference USA. That affiliation technically makes this an FBS vs. FBS matchup, allowing the Trojans to maintain their streak of facing only Division I opponents. Still, the reality is clear. While both teams carry the FBS label, only one will be fielding Division I talent across the board.

The staff will be rolling out weekly previews like this one to give our readers a snapshot of what to expect. With that in mind, here’s Nick and Gabriel's first-ever joint prediction for Missouri State at USC.

Pick by Nicholas Burmood (Contributor)

If memory serves, this matchup was originally slated to be Ole Miss before both schools decided there was little reason to schedule a brutal non-conference game that benefitted no one. In truth, USC had the most to lose, as an SEC loss doesn’t carry the same weight, but a Trojan setback would have been magnified.

Instead, USC draws Missouri State, and this one is about as straightforward as it gets. It’s the definition of a tune-up game, and the Trojans should treat it as such. I won’t go as far as saying the starters should be off the field by halftime, but ideally USC makes quick work of this so attention can shift to next week’s “Clay Helton Bowl.”

Don’t expect fireworks from the playbook. Lincoln Riley and his staff have no incentive to show too much, too soon, on film. The same goes for D’Anton Lynn’s defense. There is no need to unleash every wrinkle of the new Jayden Maiava offense in a game where simple concepts should be more than enough. Expect base defenses, straightforward run schemes, and vanilla passing looks to carry the day.

The truth is, this is one of the rare games USC could win simply by lining up with its talent alone. That won’t always be the case this season, but the talent gap here is so wide that oddsmakers have USC favored by five touchdowns for good reason. It should be a fun night in the Coliseum, and if things go according to plan, maybe we even get an early look at Husan Longstreet.

Prediction: USC 45, Missouri State 13

Pick by Gabriel Esparza (Editor)

This is a nice game to get USC started for the 2025 season. It is hard to see anything too surprising happening this Saturday. In terms of the scoreline, maybe the Trojans are going to gun for a shutout.

Even that is going to be difficult to obtain. Particularly if USC does manage to run the score up and the second- and third-stringers take over, human nature will tend to see teams ease a little of the gas. It is also difficult for any defense to keep a team out of field goal range for four quarters.

This should still be a lopsided Trojan victory, but it is not too likely to see a 0 at the end of this one.

Prediction: USC 52 : Missouri State 10