Can Fresno State compete with USC at the Coliseum?

Facing the USC Trojans is a significant game for the Fresno State football team, playing its first game as a Pac-12 team.

The Bulldogs don’t often get this opportunity. The last meeting came in 2022, when Fresno State traveled to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to take on a Trojans team led by quarterback Caleb Williams.

USC won that game 45-17.

Could more of the same happen Friday night when the teams meet again?

This week, Bulldogs head coach Matt Entz named former Buchanan High School standout Jayden Mandal the starting quarterback. Mandal missed the 2025 season because of an injury and beat Maryland transfer Khristian Martin for the job this year.

The question going into the game is can Mandal handle the pressure from USC?

Mandal will have plenty of talent around him, including running backs Bryson Donelson and Rayshon Luke and wide receivers Josiah Freeman, Ezekiel Avit, Jahlil McClain and Harold Duvall.

At tight end, Jack Appleget will get the start after transferring from Northern Illinois. He previously played at Nebraska.

Mandal will be protected by an offensive line featuring left tackle Brayden Walton, left guard Marquise Thorpe-Taylor, center Oscar Weigel, right guard Jonah Leaupepetele and right tackle Tolan Fullwood.

On the defense side, defensive back Simeon Harris is one of the Bulldogs’ experienced leaders. Defensive end Jahzon Jackson will also be counted on to make an impact, along with defensive tackle Deijon Lafitte and linebacker K’vion Thunderbird. Defensive back Ryan Wilson also brings valuable experience.

USC enters Friday’s game after a 42-26 victory over San Jose State.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Running back King Miller rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Trent Mosley caught seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

The Trojans won despite being without defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart and other key contributors.

DraftKings list USC as -21.5 point favorites.

Prediction

The Bulldogs are 1-5 all-time against the Trojans, with their lone victory coming in the 1992 Freedom Bowl. Since then, the games have generally been one-sided, with the exception of Fresno State’s wild 50-42 victory at the Coliseum in 2005.

Fresno State brings back plenty of key players, but winning at the Coliseum would be a difficult task.

Of course, anything is possible in college football. Northern Illinois proved that in 2024 when the Huskies upset No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14 with Nick Benedetto serving as their defensive coordinator, now with Fresno State.

Could the Bulldogs pull off something similar?

Maybe.

Could Fresno State keep it competitive? Perhaps — maybe for three quarters.

But USC has too much firepower, and the Trojans should eventually pull away.

Prediction: USC 40, Fresno State 27.

Tags: