This is the kind of game the Trojans usually win in a blowout. Since coach Lincoln Riley's first season at USC in 2022, in the Trojans' first game of the season against a non-Power 4 team, USC has won by an average score of 61-14. Ironically, the team that played the Trojans the best was the Spartans who, in 2023, lost by "only" 28 points. But that ended up being a pretty good San Jose State team that went 7-6. This year's Spartans are coming off a 3-9 season and returning just two starters. Meanwhile USC has the most returning starters in the nation, with 15, including quarterback Jayden Maiava. This one will get ugly in a hurry.
When you look at a Week zero or week one game, you always have to remember that both teams have all spring and summer to prepare for that one opponent. A lot of times, that explains why we tend to see more tight games and upsets during those two weeks. I am not saying the Spartans will outright pull off the upset, but I do trust coach Ken Niumatalolo to have his team ready to play vs USC in a game that does have some recruiting significance to it as well.
In Lincoln Riley's four years at USC, he's had six total home games against non-conference teams during the first two weeks of the season. In those games, the Trojans have averaged 61.3 points per game. In total, those six games have averaged over 76 points per game. Riley likes to run it up early in the season and should be able to do so against a weak San Jose State team. Expect the Trojans to come out firing and hit another Over in a non-conference game at home. USC 54, San Jose State 14.
San Jose State went 3-9 last year, with the worst performances in their last three games. Coach Ken Niumatalolo only had two starters return, and they're both offensive linemen. Now he's got to face a USC team in the opener that is loaded this season, with nine starters back on offense, including senior quarterback Jayden Maiava, and five on defense. They have all five starters on the offensive line returning, and that's the biggest component I look at in these opening games. The cohesion is gonna be there, and apparently the boosters money is also there, as they had the No. 1 recruiting class in college football. I think USC could be the next Indiana this year. USC shows off for the nation.
