Updated Aug. 28, 2026, 12:32 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The San Jose State Spartans<\/a> and the No. 14 USC Trojans<\/a> meet Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to open their 2026 seasons. Kickoff in Los Angeles, California, is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (NBC). Let’s analyze college football odds around the San Jose State vs. USC odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n USC has owned this matchup, winning the 3 previous meetings against San Jose State by a combined 146-38. The latest, in 2023, wasn\u2019t exactly a nail-biter, either, as the Trojans<\/a> rolled to a 56-28 victory.<\/p>\n San Jose State took a major step backward in 2025, finishing 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Mountain West after reaching a bowl in each of the previous 3 seasons. The Spartans\u2019 season unraveled down the stretch, as they lost their final 4 games, including a 41-14 loss to rival Fresno State Bulldogs in the finale, and missed a bowl for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n The Spartans still moved the ball through the air, but QB Walker Eget (3,051 passing yards, 17 TDs) does not return. Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver (628 yards, 6 TDs in 5 games) is the starting QB. The good news is breakout WR Danny Scudero returns after becoming one of college football\u2019s biggest surprises, leading the nation with 1,297 receiving yards on 88 catches with 10 TDs, while freshman RB Steve Chavez-Soto also returns after leading SJSU with 448 rushing yards and 7 TDs in just 8 games.<\/p>\n USC showed plenty of progress in 2025, putting together a 9-4 season with a 7-2 mark in the Big Ten while going 7-0 at home. The Trojans have some important offensive pieces back in 2026, starting with QB Jayden Maiava, who returns after throwing for 3,711 yards and 24 TDs. RB King Miller is also back after a breakout 972-yard, 8-TD season. The biggest departure is WR Makai Lemon, who led the Power Four with 1,156 regular-season receiving yards, won the Biletnikoff Award and became a first-round NFL Draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.<\/p>\n USC finished the regular season with a 29-10 win over rival UCLA Bruins before its year ended with a 30-27 overtime loss to TCU Horn Frogs in the Alamo Bowl, snapping the Trojans\u2019 2-game bowl winning streak.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0Rankings:\u00a0US LBM Coaches Poll<\/a>, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n Watch NCAA football on Fubo!<\/a>San Jose State at USC odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:46 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): San Jose State +10000 (bet $100 to win $10000) | USC – not offeredAgainst the spread (ATS): San Jose State +39 (-108) | USC -39 (-110)Over\/Under (O\/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -108)San Jose State at USC picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n USC 49, San Jose State 7<\/p>\n There is no moneyline being offered on USC. And you wouldn’t want to bet it even if one were offered.<\/p>\n BET USC -39 (108).<\/p>\n Laying nearly 40 points isn\u2019t usually where you go looking for comfort, but USC is built to make this one ugly. The Trojans averaged 35 points last season, and Maiava returns after putting together one of the nation\u2019s best seasons at quarterback.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, San Jose State is rebuilding in a major way. The Spartans return just 24% of their production, have 48 new players and turn the offense over to Weaver, who has 6 career TD passes against 7 turnover-worthy plays.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a dangerous combination against a USC team that loves beating up on Group of 6 opponents. Since 2023, the Trojans have beaten 4 of 5 G6 opponents by at least 39 points. Coach Lincoln Riley is also 9-0 in season openers, with USC averaging 44.8 points in openers since 2017.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a monster number, but I’ll take it as long as it stays below 40.<\/p>\n BET UNDER 61.5 (-108).<\/p>\n USC will do plenty of scoring Saturday, but San Jose State holding up its end is another story. The Spartans are rebuilding almost their entire offense, including a new quarterback and receiving corps, and now face a Trojans defense expected to take a big step forward under Gary Patterson. If USC builds the expected big lead, look for plenty of running and clock-killing late. I don’t see San Jose State reaching double digits, play the Under.<\/p>\n Betting odds calculator<\/a><\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire<\/a> and on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:<\/p>\n Alabama<\/a> \/ Auburn<\/a> \/ BYU<\/a> \/ Clemson<\/a>\u00a0\/ Colorado<\/a> \/ Duke<\/a> \/\u00a0Florida<\/a> \/ Florida State<\/a> \/\u00a0Georgia<\/a> \/ Iowa<\/a> \/ Kentucky<\/a> \/\u00a0LSU<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan<\/a>\u00a0\/ Michigan State<\/a> \/ Nebraska<\/a> \/ North Carolina<\/a> \/ Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0\/ Ohio State<\/a>\u00a0\/ Oklahoma<\/a> \/ Oregon<\/a> \/ Penn State<\/a> \/ Tennessee<\/a>\u00a0\/ Texas<\/a> \/ Texas A&M<\/a> \/ Texas Tech<\/a> \/ UCLA<\/a> \/ USC<\/a> \/ Washington<\/a> \/\u00a0Wisconsin<\/a> \/ College Sports Wire<\/a> \/ High Schools<\/a><\/p>\n