USC at Rutgers - 2026 Matchup Preview
USC logo USC Trojans at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRutgers logo
Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
SHI Stadium - Piscataway, NJ

 
Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (36 - 17)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (27 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: USC -19.5  (SP+ USC -16)
Projected Score: USC: 40 - RUTG: 20 (60)
USC Win prob: 88% | Cover: 46%
USC Travel: 7222 miles, 3 hrs behind
Scarlet Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (99 - 108)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 USC vs Fresno State-27.5
Sat 9/12 USC vs Louisiana-32.5
Sat 9/19 USC at Rutgers-19.5
Sat 9/26 USC vs Oregon+2.5
Sat 10/3 USC vs Washington-5
Sat 10/10 USC at Penn State-3.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 USC at Wisconsin-19
Sat 10/31 USC vs Ohio State+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 USC at Indiana+10.5
Sat 11/21 USC vs Maryland-21
Sat 11/28 USC at UCLA-20.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Rutgers's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Rutgers vs Massachusetts-30.5
Fri 9/11 Rutgers at Boston College-1
Sat 9/19 Rutgers vs USC+19.5
Sat 9/26 Rutgers vs Howard-22.5
Sat 10/3 Rutgers vs Indiana+27.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Rutgers at Maryland+5.5
Sat 10/24 Rutgers at Northwestern+7
Sat 10/31 Rutgers vs Michigan+14
Sat 11/7 Rutgers at Wisconsin+3
Sat 11/14 Rutgers vs Nebraska+4.5
Sat 11/21 Rutgers at Penn State+18.5
Sat 11/28 Rutgers vs Michigan State-3.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC#7 (.33)49% (11)35.846% (41)3.16 (28)16952% (4)2964.66 (10)#64 (.16)45% (119)2347% (122)43% (81)3.53 (56)54.21.21.4
RUTG#37 (.21)47% (20)28.746% (41)3.03 (55)14247% (18)2663.38 (102)#134 (.31)47% (128)31.847% (113)49% (132)4.45 (131)32.60.91
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Offense1335.827.448.9%4.661.2244651692965.248%50%46%52%13%.33
RUTG Defense1231.830.347.4%4.451 - - - - - 50%49%47%49%12%.31
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Defense132328.845.4%3.531.4 - - - - - 47%51%47%43%16%.16
RUTG Offense1228.735.446.8%3.380.9234081422663.749%50%46%47%16%.21

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
USC1329:5023.751%64%5.854.21.21.45.52.4227.2
Rutgers1232:3123.343%62%4.132.60.913.90.9328.1
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Offense1348% (81)46% (41)32.5169.25.229 (16).18 (36)3.16 (28)75% (47)7% (17)0.95 (74)
RUTG Defense1250% (64)47% (113) - - - - .26 (134)3.15 (110)66% (28)9% (106)1.13 (131)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Defense1347% (37)47% (122) - - - - .13 (88)3.29 (125)67% (32)11% (34)0.81 (6)
RUTG Offense1249% (74)46% (41)38.8141.53.719 (49).09 (80)3.03 (55)75% (46)9% (44)0.86 (117)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Offense1350% (61)52% (4)21.532.32969.213.726 (22)10 (34).52 (4)1.6 (36)27% (14)37% (11).5 (10)6% (65)2.2 (14)
RUTG Defense1249% (74)49% (132) - - - - - - 5 (100).44 (134)1.6 (66)30% (96)34% (118).36 (100)4% (133)2.1 (89)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Defense1351% (95)43% (81) - - - - - - 12 (12).18 (41)1.6 (77)29% (110)33% (116).34 (93)5% (102)2.1 (112)
RUTG Offense1250% (62)47% (18)19.531.5266.18.513.722 (42)7 (60).34 (39)1.5 (89)29% (36)36% (20).33 (57)7% (110)1.8 (129)

USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 24.82  #10
USC's Offense Rating: 28.12  #4
USC's Defense Rating: 8.30  #20
2026 Talent Rating: 1030.00  #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
USC's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
USC's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 16.9  #16
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 38.9  #9
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0  #36

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
USC: 24.82   Rutgers: 1.44

SP+ Ratings Matchup
USC: 16.9   Rutgers: 1.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 1.44  #70
Rutgers's Offense Rating: 13.85  #44
Rutgers's Defense Rating: 21.97  #104
2026 Talent Rating: 812.00  #52
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Rutgers's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Rutgers's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.0  #72
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.7  #95

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.4
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

USC's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
USC 40
Rutgers 20

Projected Total Points: 60
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/25USC42Rutgers20USC -14.0USC57.0Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers001 Overs
USC110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#10) USC at (#70) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUSCRUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #10 #70
SP+SP+ #16 #72
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #8 #52
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
USC on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffRUTG Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #11 #128
ExplosiveExp #33 #114
PPAPPA #7 #134
PowerPwr #4 #104
SP+SP+ #9 #95
Pts POPPO #10 #131
HavocHav #32 #125
USC Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffRUTG Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #113
Run ExplRExp #74 #131
PPAExp #36 #134
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #28 #110
Stuff RateStuff #37 #62
TackleTak - NR
USC Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #132
Pass ExplPExl #36 #66
PPAExp #4 #134
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #106
DB HavocDB #65 #133
Rutgers on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffUSC Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #20 #119
ExplosiveExp #89 #16
PPAPPA #37 #64
PowerPwr #44 #20
SP+SP+ #39 #36
Pts POPPO #102 #56
HavocHav #76 #63
Rutgers Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
RUTG OffUSC Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #122
Run ExplRExp #117 #6
PPAExp #80 #88
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #55 #125
Stuff RateStuff #21 #86
TackleTak - NR
Rutgers Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatRUTG OffUSC Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #18 #81
Pass ExplPExl #89 #77
PPAExp #39 #41
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #34
DB HavocDB #110 #102
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

USC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
USC beat Rutgers in 2024 (42-20)

  
USC's OC Luke Huard (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava26540366%371124109.2
Sam Huard11100%100010.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
King Miller15697286.275
Waymond Jordan8857656.540
Jayden Maiava5415762.921
Riley Wormley51803.66
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Terrell Anderson (Tr)39629516.175
Tanook Hines34561216.551
Jaden Richardson12148112.343
King Miller1611106.920

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC Gary Patterson (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Desman Stephens II863010
Christian Pierce643103
Deven Bryant (Tr)622012
Alex VanSumeren (Tr)502221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kameryn Fountain3711610
Braylan Shelby276540
Jide Abasiri264420
Zuriah Fisher (Tr)194251
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marcelles Williams370004
Christian Pierce643103
Kamari Ramsey212022

RUTG's OC Kirk Ciarrocca (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Lonergan (Tr)19028467%20251257.1
AJ Surace4944%58206.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Antwan Raymond2441241135.151
Clay Thevenin (Tr)13163484.850
Ja'shon Benjamin6832824.819
Edd Guerrier72503.69
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
KJ Duff601084718.172
Clay Thevenin (Tr)3326908.230
Kenny Fletcher2623609.139
Antwan Raymond18225212.548

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Kaj Sanders640001
Abram Wright531012
Rondarius Porter395244
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
J'Dan Burnett (Tr)2810711
Malachi Davis (Tr)3510681
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Rondarius Porter395244
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Rondarius Porter395244
Ty Anthony Morris799333
Abram Wright531012