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JD Yonke<\/a> 7+ years betting experience<\/p>\n \n Updated: \u2022 4 min read<\/p>\n A potent and experienced USC squad is a huge favorite, but the line is warranted given San Jose State’s utter lack of experience (137th in returning production) and predicted ineffectiveness, per our college football expert.<\/p>\n Photo By – Reuters Connect. Jayden Maiava of the USC Trojans.<\/p>\n My\u00a0San Jose State vs. USC prediction\u00a0and college football picks<\/a> for today’s game see the Trojans pulling away from one of the least experienced teams in the nation.<\/p>\n Year 5 of the Lincoln Riley era gets underway for USC as a 38.5-point favorite as they host San Jose State on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.<\/p>\n Riley has shown no issue running up the score on lesser programs early in the season before, and I’m not expecting that to change today.<\/p>\n Don’t miss kickoff at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.<\/p>\n \u00a0TOP PICK This is a squash match opener for USC<\/a>, which ranks 16th in returning production and returns eight starters to an elite offense.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jayden Maiava<\/a> is back, along with two star running backs (Waymond Jordan<\/a>, 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\u00a0San Jose State<\/a> defense with no experience to mention.\u00a0<\/p>\n It’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 It’ll be more of the same in the opener. Play USC up to -40.\u00a0<\/p>\n Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account USC’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 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 The Spartans play at a fast tempo (24th in snaps per minute), which should help them score.<\/p>\n Tanook Hines<\/a> is listed with an “OR” on the depth chart and likely sees a snap count in the opener after returning to practice only recently.<\/p>\n San Jose State vs USC SGP<\/p>\n USC -38.5 San Jose State vs USC odds today<\/p>\n For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, see our odds calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n Spread: San Jose State +38.5 | USC -38.5 For the full slate of college football matchups<\/a>, check out our college football odds<\/a> board!<\/p>\n More Covers college football betting tools<\/p>\n San Jose State vs USC weather today<\/p>\n It’s expected to be a warm, sunny day; the weather won’t affect the outcome.<\/p>\n Check out our college football weather<\/a> page for up-to-date info on every matchup.<\/p>\n San Jose State vs USC trend to know<\/p>\n USC is 5-1 ATS in its last six non-conference games. Find more\u00a0college football betting trends<\/a> for San Jose State vs. USC.<\/p>\n How to watch San Jose State vs USC today<\/p>\n Location Date Kickoff TV San Jose State vs USC latest injuries<\/p>\n
\n \u2022 Betting Analyst<\/p>\n
\nAug 29, 2026 , 12:01 PM ET<\/p>\n
San Jose State vs USC prediction: USC -38.5<\/p>\n![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788102277_548_google-preferred-source-badge.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/a>San Jose State vs USC same-game parlay (SGP)<\/p>\n
\nOver 60.5
\nTanook Hines Under 80.5 receiving yards<\/p>\n
\nOver\/Under: Over 60.5 (53%) | Under 60.5 (53%)
\nMoneyline: San Jose State 1% | USC 99%<\/p>\n
\nLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA<\/p>\n
\nSaturday, Aug. 29, 2026<\/p>\n
\n3 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
\nNBC<\/p>\n