The Big Ten just dropped the full 2026 football schedule, and for USC, it’s a gauntlet. Twelve games, seven at home, five on the road, and no shortage of marquee matchups. For Lincoln Riley, entering his fourth season at the helm in Los Angeles, this slate isn’t just about wins and losses-it’s about proving USC can thrive in its new Big Ten reality.
Let’s start with the context. USC is coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2025, a step forward after a rocky couple of years.
Most notably, the Trojans finally found their footing on the road. After going winless in true away games in 2024, they bounced back with victories at Purdue and Nebraska last season.
That progress was nearly capped with a 10th win, but they fell just short in a 30-27 overtime heartbreaker against TCU in the Alamo Bowl.
Now, the 2026 schedule is set-and it’s anything but forgiving. The good news?
USC avoids Notre Dame this year, a rare breather in what’s otherwise a punishing stretch. The bad news?
Just about everything else. In the current 12-team College Football Playoff format, 10 wins is the unofficial benchmark.
And getting there won’t be easy.
The Home Slate: Coliseum Showdowns
The Trojans will host Fresno State and Louisiana in the first two weeks, easing into the season before the Big Ten fireworks begin. But starting September 26, things get real-fast.
Oregon comes to town, followed by Washington the very next week. Then, after a pair of road trips and a bye, USC welcomes Ohio State to the Coliseum on Halloween weekend.
That’s three legitimate CFP contenders, all at home, all within a five-week stretch. If USC wants to make a statement, this is where it happens.
The Road Trips: No Easy Outs
The road schedule is just as brutal. It starts with a cross-country trip to Rutgers on September 19, which sounds manageable on paper but brings its own challenges with travel and unfamiliar territory. Then comes a visit to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium on October 10-a venue that’s hostile even in daylight, let alone if it turns into a whiteout night game.
After a bye, USC heads to Wisconsin on October 24, another Big Ten heavyweight with a punishing ground game and a crowd that feeds off the cold. Later in November, the Trojans go to Indiana before closing the regular season at UCLA, a rivalry game that always delivers fireworks, regardless of records.
A Schedule With No Margin for Error
Here’s what’s clear: there’s no room for slip-ups. With the Big Ten expanding and the playoff field still limited, USC can’t afford to drop games they’re supposed to win. Every contest-from the early tune-ups to the late-season brawls-will carry weight.
One wrinkle to keep an eye on is the potential Week 0 game. While the opponent hasn’t been announced, USC is expected to play that weekend, which would give them two bye weeks over the course of the season. That’s a subtle but important advantage in a league where physicality and attrition often determine who’s still standing in November.
USC’s 2026 Schedule at a Glance:
- Aug. 29 - Open
- Sep. 5 - vs. Fresno State
- Sep. 12 - vs. Louisiana
- Sep. 19 - at Rutgers
- Sep. 26 - vs.
Oregon
- Oct. 3 - vs.
Washington
- Oct. 10 - at Penn State
- Oct. 17 - BYE
- Oct. 24 - at Wisconsin
- Oct. 31 - vs.
Ohio State
- **Nov.
7** - BYE
- Nov. 14 - at Indiana
- Nov. 21 - vs. Maryland
- Nov. 28 - at UCLA
The matchups are set, the dates are locked in, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Lincoln Riley and the Trojans, 2026 is about more than just navigating a tough schedule-it’s about proving they belong at the top of the Big Ten. With a roster that’s trending upward and a fan base hungry for national relevance, this season could be a defining chapter in USC’s new era.