{"id":447035,"date":"2026-08-29T07:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T07:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/447035\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T07:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T07:58:29","slug":"san-jose-state-vs-usc-prediction-picks-odds-college-football-week-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/447035\/","title":{"rendered":"San Jose State vs USC Prediction, Picks &#038; Odds: College Football Week 0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                           <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4e79e275-8ac5-43bd-8b49-726bc8a9302f.jpg\" alt=\"JD Yonke - Betting Analyst at Covers.com\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"covers-mini-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/img.covers.com\/covers\/icons\/global-icons\/covers-c-new.svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/writers\/jd-yonke\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">JD Yonke<\/a><br \/>\n                             \u2022 Betting Analyst<\/p>\n<p>                    7+ years betting experience<\/p>\n<p>\n            Updated:<br \/>\nAug 28, 2026 , 11:01 AM ET<\/p>\n<p>                \u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n<p class=\"covers-Articlemodern-cutLine\">A potent and experienced USC squad is a huge favorite, but the line is warranted given San Jose State&#8217;s utter lack of experience (137th in returning production) and predicted ineffectiveness <\/p>\n<p>                <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"20\" id=\"picks-card-pick-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/img.covers.com\/covers\/icons\/global-icons\/no-logo.svg\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.src=\" https:=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" hidden=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>        <a id=\"atf-pick-cta\" class=\"covers-Matchup-button\" data-linkcont=\"Articles-Picks-Card-More-Picks-Read-Analysis\" hidden=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>                <img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/224fb4c3-4909-4d2d-ba39-f46e263745d1.gif\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" alt=\"San Jose State vs USC Predictions\" fetchpriority=\"high\" loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"sync\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Photo By &#8211; Reuters Connect. Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs<\/p>\n<p>Year five of the Lincoln Riley era gets underway for USC (-38.5) as they host San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.<\/p>\n<p>My San Jose State vs. USC prediction and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/picks\/ncaaf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football picks<\/a>\u00a0see the Trojans pulling away from one of the least experienced teams in the nation.<\/p>\n<p>Kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET on NBC.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0TOP PICK<br \/>San Jose State vs USC prediction: USC -38.5 (51% probability)<\/p>\n<p>This is a squash match opener for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/teams\/main\/usc-trojans\/odds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">USC<\/a>, which ranks 16th in returning production and returns eight starters to an elite offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/players\/255071\/jayden-maiava\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Jayden Maiava<\/a> is back, along with two star running backs (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/players\/366839\/waymond-jordan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Waymond Jordan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/players\/409533\/kayne-miller\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">King Miller<\/a>) and a veteran offensive line. This unit racked up 465.5 yards per game a year ago and should be just as potent in 2026 \u2014 starting against a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/teams\/main\/san-jose-state-spartans\/odds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">San Jose State<\/a> defense with no experience to mention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a total rebuild year for Ken Niumatalolo as his Spartans rank 137th in returning production. Lincoln Riley has kept his foot on the gas when steamrolling overmatched opponents, toppling Missouri State 73-13 and Georgia Southern 59-20 a year ago and Utah State 48-0 in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;ll be more of the same in the opener. Play USC up to -40.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=covers.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"googleLink border-0 bg-lighter rounded-2 py-2 px-3 d-flex gap-2 justify-content-between align-items-center mb-5\" data-linkcont=\"Article-Google-Preferences-Click\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787990308_319_google-preferred-source-badge.png\" width=\"102\" height=\"36\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/a>San Jose State vs USC same-game parlay (SGP)<\/p>\n<p>USC&#8217;s offense should find repeated success against a San Jose State defense that was already poor (98th in EPA per play last year) and returns less experience than all but two other teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The backfield duo of Jordan (5.2 yards after contact per attempt) and Miller (1,083 scrimmage yards) should positively feast. Even once the backups are in, the Trojans will get whatever they want on the ground against a soft defensive front that is a year removed from ranking 128th in stuff rate and 123rd in front seven havoc.<\/p>\n<p>The Spartans play at a fast tempo (24th in snaps per minute), which should help them score.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/players\/371604\/tanook-hines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Tanook Hines<\/a> is listed with an &#8220;OR&#8221; on the depth chart and likely sees a snap count in the opener after returning to practice only recently.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose State vs USC SGP<\/p>\n<p>USC -38.5<br \/>\nOver 60.5<br \/>\nTanook Hines Under 80.5 receiving yards<\/p>\n<p>San Jose State vs USC odds<\/p>\n<p>For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/tools\/odds-converter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">odds calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Spread: San Jose State +38.5 | USC -38.5<br \/>\nOver\/Under: Over 60.5 (53%) | Under 60.5 (53%)<br \/>\nMoneyline: San Jose State 1% | USC 99%<\/p>\n<p>For the full slate of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sports\/ncaaf\/matchups\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football matchups<\/a>, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/odds\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football odds<\/a> board!<\/p>\n<p>More Covers college football betting tools<\/p>\n<p>San Jose State vs USC weather<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s expected to be a warm, sunny day; the weather won&#8217;t affect the outcome.<\/p>\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/ncaaf\/weather\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football weather<\/a> page for up-to-date info on every matchup.<\/p>\n<p>San Jose State vs USC trend to know<\/p>\n<p>USC is 5-1 ATS in its last six non-conference games. Find more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/matchup\/377599\/trends\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football betting trends<\/a> for San Jose State vs. USC.<\/p>\n<p>How to watch San Jose State vs USC<\/p>\n<p>Location<br \/>\nLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA<\/p>\n<p>Date<br \/>\nSaturday, Aug. 29, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Kickoff<br \/>\n3 p.m. ET<\/p>\n<p>TV<br \/>\nNBC<\/p>\n<p>San Jose State vs USC latest injuries<\/p>\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.covers.com\/sport\/football\/ncaaf\/injuries\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">college football injuries<\/a> page for updates on every team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.<br \/>Not intended for use in MA.<br \/>Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.<\/p>\n<p>        Pages related to this topic<\/p>\n<p>                        <img decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" alt=\"JD Yonke\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1787990309_605_4e79e275-8ac5-43bd-8b49-726bc8a9302f.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>JD is a diehard college football fan with five years of experience writing betting and fantasy content for publications such as SportsGrid, Fantasy Points, Fantrax, and Devy Watch. An avid reader, he uses his inclination to look at things with an exhausting and in-depth, analytic viewpoint combined with a love for statistics and metrics to form a well-rounded handicapping approach.<\/p>\n<p>e&#8217;s an integral member of the niche (but growing!) college fantasy football community, twice traveling to Canton, OH for the Fantasy Football Expo as a member of the CFF King&#8217;s Classic drafting squad. His specialization in college football DFS and prop betting taught him that there are exploitable markets to be found and that narrowing your focus is integral to being a profitable bettor.<\/p>\n<p>A lifelong Californian who grew up playing baseball, basketball, football, and lacrosse, he&#8217;s glad to share a passionate love for sports with this wonderful community.<\/p>\n<p>Read More<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JD Yonke \u2022 Betting Analyst 7+ years betting experience Updated: Aug 28, 2026 , 11:01 AM ET \u2022&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":447036,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[88,90,89],"class_list":["post-447035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-jose","tag-san-jose","tag-san-jose-headlines","tag-san-jose-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=447035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/447035\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/447036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=447035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=447035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=447035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}