USC opened its 2026 season with a 42-26 win over San Jose State, and ESPN’s Football Power Index is already drawing a clear picture of what comes next for the Trojans.
The score looked comfortable enough, but the game got away from the Spartans late. San Jose State scored 23 of its 26 points in the fourth quarter, after head coach Lincoln Riley had already retired starters for the afternoon. That makes the final margin look tighter than the way USC controlled the day.
There was plenty to like from the Trojans on offense, especially with Jayden Maiava. He looked the part against the Spartans on Saturday, and now the question is whether that production can hold up through a schedule that includes Oregon, Indiana, Penn State and Ohio State.
According to ESPN’s FPI, USC is favored in seven of its 11 remaining games. The model gives the Trojans the best odds against Louisiana, Maryland and UCLA, while also backing them against Rutgers, Washington and Wisconsin.
Here’s how ESPN’s FPI projects the rest of USC’s schedule:
Sept. 4: Fresno State Bulldogs - 42-26 USC win
Sept. 12: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns - 97.3% chance to win
Sept. 19: Rutgers Scarlet Knights - 82.4% chance to win
Sept. 26: Oregon Ducks - 32.6% chance to win
Oct. 3: Washington Huskies - 77.4% chance to win
Oct. 10: Penn State Nittany Lions - 46.9% chance to win
Oct. 24: Wisconsin Badgers - 76.8% chance to win
Oct. 31: Ohio State Buckeyes - 25.0% chance to win
Nov. 14: Indiana Hoosiers - 22.7% chance to win
Nov. 21: Maryland Terrapins - 92.5% chance to win
Nov. 28: UCLA Bruins - 86.1% chance to win
USC is back on the field Friday against Fresno State.
In Other News...
Boise State Walks Into One Of Oregons Most Hyped Game Day Looks
Oregon is leaning into its history for a 2026 season opener that already has plenty of buzz, unveiling a classic look for the matchup with Boise State. The Ducks will go with a Gang Green jersey, yellow pants and a yellow helmet featuring the green O, a combination that ties into the programs past while fitting neatly into the ongoing Generation O series. It is also the third time Oregon has used this specific uniform set, another reminder that even in a sport built on constant change, the Ducks still know how to make tradition feel fresh.
The game day atmosphere is expected to be part of the show, too, with fans encouraged to take part in the Stripe-Out and wear green or yellow to match their seating sections. Oregon has long treated uniform reveals as part of its identity, and this one seems designed to bring that full-circle feel to a season opener that should already have attention. The only thing left is to see how the look plays on the field when the Ducks open against Boise State. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Could Catch Oregon At A Very Different Strength Than Expected
The Ducks are heading into 2026 with an injury picture that is still taking shape, and it touches both sides of the ball. Dillon Gresham is still without a clear timetable after a neck injury, Brayden Platt is expected to be limited for some time after a spring injury, and Oregon is also managing the return of Evan Stewart and Trey McNutt from ailments suffered in 2025. Dave Iuli has been practicing and is expected to be available for the opener, which at least gives the Ducks some stability up front as the season approaches.
For a team that usually wants its early-season depth settled before the real tests arrive, the lingering uncertainty is a bigger issue than any single name on the list. Oregon can lean on the fact that some key pieces are trending back, but the broader question is how quickly the Ducks can get to full strength and what version of the roster Boise State might actually see. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon 5-Star Commit Is Already Recruiting Another Elite Edge
Oregons latest big recruiting win came with a built-in bonus. Defensive coordinator Chris Hampton and edge coach Kamran Araghi landed five-star edge rusher Rashad Streets out of Milbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, beating out Alabama, Ohio State and NC State for one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 class.
Rashad Streets is already helping the Ducks try to pry more elite talent away from the rest of the national field. During his official visit, he pushed Ohio State five-star edge commit David Jacobs to take a closer look at Oregon, giving the Ducks a possible head start in a recruiting battle that could shape their future pass rush. [Read more 🡒]