Week 0 Preview: USC Trojans Kick Off Season against San José State Spartans

The No. 14 ranked USC Trojans kick off their highly anticipated 2026 campaign at home at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the San José State Spartans this Saturday, August 29. 

Heading into this year, the College Football world turned to USC, as they nabbed the No.1 ranked recruiting class for 2026. That class was highlighted by names such as wide receivers Ethan "Boobie" Feaster, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Trent Mosley, tight end Mark Bowman, offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, and edge rusher Lukle Waffle, plus many more. 

Leading the team as a whole is fifth-year head coach Lincoln Riley. Alongside him, more than 65% of the squad from the 2025 season returns.

"We have one of the most experienced groups in the country," Riley said at Big Ten Media Day in late July. 

Fourth-year quarterback Jayden Maiava is regarded as one of the top gunslingers in college football. After starting in all 13 games for the Trojans in 2025 in his first full year as a starter, Maiava led the nation with a QBR of 91.2 and threw for 3,711 passing yards, leading the Big Ten.

Maiava has been named to a multitude of watch lists across the sport, including the Maxwell Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List. 

He was also one of 12 selected players to be put on the 2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Honors list.

Right beside him, newly announced starting center, Tobias Raymond, and the returning running back duo of Waymond Jordan and King Miller. 

Raymond spent most of his 2025 season as the Trojans' offensive guard, but will now see himself in a pivotal role due to the unfortunate circumstances of Killian O'Connor set to miss the entire season with an injury. 

Luckily for Raymond, he had reps at center this past spring, but it wasn't until Tuesday that Riley announced the move as official. 

Looking at the running backs, Jordan was having himself a showstopper of a 2025 campaign before suffering a season-ending injury in October against the Michigan Wolverines. 

In 88 carries, Jordan recorded 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns in six games. 

With the early spill Jordan took, Miller, a walk-on for USC, took the opportunity to carry important snaps and took advantage. He played in all 13 games for the Trojans, but started in the final seven games following Jordan's injury. 

In 156 carries, he rushed for 972 yards with eight touchdowns. His name was launched into the stratosphere in college football following his breakout game against Michigan, as he rushed for 158 yards on 18 touches with 1 touchdown. 

Defensively, the Trojans are just as stacked depth-wise. But that does come at a cost, as former freshman All-American Jahkeem Stewart will miss the season opener due to a foot injury. Luckily for USC, this will not be a long-term issue, as Riley stated that he could return as early as their September 4 matchup against the Fresno State Bulldogs. 

The Trojans have a clean slate against the Spartans, as they are a perfect 6-0 against the Spartans. Overall against the Mountain West Conference, USC is 37-1-1.