San Jose State vs USC NCAAF Week Zero Preview and Prediction August 29, 2026
Posted 8 hours ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, Featured, NCAAF | 0 comments
SJSU vs USC August 29, 2026 @ Las Angeles, CA
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: USC -35.5, SJSU +35.5
Moneyline: UNLV N/A, MEM N/A
Total: 59
San Jose State vs USC NCAAF Betting Preview
The Trojans will host San Jose State in Week Zero for the third time in five years. The most recent meeting was a 56-28 USC win back in 2023, but the Trojans failed to cover as a -30.5 point favorite. They will be asked to cover a significantly higher spread here in 2026.
Expectations are high for the Trojans in the sixth season under Lincoln Riley. They are expected to have their way with a San Jose State team that is undergoing a complete rebuild.
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San Jose State Betting Preview
- Head coach: Ken Niumatalolo
- Offensive coordinator: Craig Stutzmann
- Defensive coordinator: Bojay Filimoeatu
- 3-9 Overall in 2025
- 2-6 in the MW in 2025
- 4-8 ATS in 2025
Ken Niumatalolo will have to replace the majority of last season’s starters, and the incoming players out of the transfer portal don’t inspire a ton of confidence.
They will try to clean up the turnovers, as only Florida Atlantic had more turnovers (29) than San Jose State (27) last season. They also struggled with 4th down conversions, converting on just 6-of-23 attempts.
The Spartans defense was a mess last year, ranking dead last in the Mountain West allowing over 32 points per game. They bring in Luke Weaver to start at quarterback, and he’s best known for coming off the bench to throw the game winning touchdown in the Hawaii Bowl as the backup for Hawaii.
USC Betting Preview
- Head coach: Lincoln Riley
- Offensive coordinator: Luke Huard
- Defensive coordinator: Gary Patterson
- 9-4 Overall in 2025
- 7-2 in the BIG10 in 2025
- 5-8 ATS in 2025
The fan base is growing impatient, and it’s time for Lincoln Riley to put up or shut up. He has the weapons in place to make a run at a BIG10 title and or a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Jayden Maiava returns at quarterback, but his top targets were lost in the NFL draft. All five starters return on the offensive line, and the Trojans have a pair of elite ball carriers in Waymond Jordan and King Miller, who combined to average 6.3 yards per carry in 2025.
The knock on Lincoln Riley has always been the defense, but the arrival of Gary Patterson may be able to change all that. This defense is loaded with future NFL players.
SJSU vs USC Betting Trends
- The Spartans are 0-5 in their last 5 road games.
- The Spartans are 3-7 in their last 10 overall.
The Over is 7-3 in the Spartans last 10 overall. - The Trojans are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 overall.
- The Trojans are 5-0 in their last 5 home games.
BETTING PREDICTION: SJSU 7 – USC 48
These two teams are trending in opposite directions. The Trojans should be peaking under Lincoln Riley, bringing back a ton of talent on a loaded roster that is projected to be one of the top teams in the strongest conference in college football. The Spartans on the other hand are starting over, losing almost all of their starters from last year. This team only won three games a year ago, and even in a watered down Mountain West the expectations are low heading into 2026.
