San José State at USC - 2026 Matchup Preview

San José State Spartans at USC Trojans

Saturday, August 29th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Los Angeles, CA

Spartans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Ken Niumatalolo (10 - 15)
Avg Score : 21 - 33 (17 - 36 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.3 - 8.7 (#83)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 10)

Our Line: USC -38.5 (SP+ USC -31)
Projected Score: SJSU: 9 - USC: 48 (57)
USC Win prob: 97% | Cover: 51%
SJSU Travel: 304 miles

Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (36 - 17)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (43 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.6 - 3.4 (#20)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 0) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 5)

Matchup
Schedules
SJSU Players
USC Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

San José State's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/29	San José State at USC	+38.5	—	—	—	—
Fri 9/4	San José State at Eastern Michigan	+7.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	San José State vs Cal Poly	-8.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	San José State vs Fresno State	+12.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3	San José State at Hawai'i	+16.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/10	San José State vs Wyoming	+4	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/17	San José State at UTEP	+3	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/24	San José State at Nevada	+1.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/31	San José State vs New Mexico	+13	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/7	San José State vs Northern Illinois	-3	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/14	San José State at Air Force	+10	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	San José State vs UNLV	+14.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	San José State vs North Dakota State	+12	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 4, Poor 6
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for San José State's Schedule

USC's 2026 Schedule

Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 8/29	USC vs San José State	-38.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/5	USC vs Fresno State	-23.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/12	USC vs Louisiana	-29	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/19	USC at Rutgers	-16.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 9/26	USC vs Oregon	+3.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/3	USC vs Washington	-1.5	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/10	USC at Penn State	-0.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24	USC at Wisconsin	-18	—	—	—	—
Sat 10/31	USC vs Ohio State	+6.5	—	—	—	—
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14	USC at Indiana	+12	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/21	USC vs Maryland	-21	—	—	—	—
Sat 11/28	USC at UCLA	-15	—	—	—	—

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for USC's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
SJSU	#67 (.18)	44% (54)	21.4	47% (28)	3.06 (46)	120	41% (72)	283	2.77 (130)	#98 (.2)	42% (77)	32.5	42% (67)	43% (81)	4.04 (107)	54.8	2.3	1.2
USC	#7 (.33)	49% (11)	35.8	46% (41)	3.16 (28)	169	52% (4)	296	4.66 (10)	#64 (.16)	45% (119)	23	47% (122)	43% (81)	3.53 (56)	54.2	1.2	1.4

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
SJSU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
USC		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
SJSU Offense	12	21.4	17	43.5%	2.77	2.3	20	403	120	283	4.6	38%	60%	47%	41%	15%	.18
USC Defense	13	23	17.9	45.4%	3.53	1.4	-	-	-	-	-	47%	51%	47%	43%	16%	.16

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
SJSU Defense	12	32.5	35.5	42.1%	4.04	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	54%	44%	42%	43%	12%	.2
USC Offense	13	35.8	43	48.9%	4.66	1.2	24	465	169	296	5.2	48%	50%	46%	52%	13%	.33

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
San José State	12	27:47	20.1	43%	26%	5.8	54.8	2.3	1.2	4.3	1.5	1	27.2
USC	13	29:50	23.7	51%	64%	5.8	54.2	1.2	1.4	5.5	2.4	2	27.2

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
SJSU Offense	12	38% (132)	47% (28)	26.1	120.1	4.6	14 (107)	.12 (65)	3.06 (46)	71% (78)	6% (2)	0.94 (78)
USC Defense	13	47% (37)	47% (122)	-	-	-	-	.13 (88)	3.29 (125)	67% (32)	11% (34)	0.81 (6)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
SJSU Defense	12	54% (117)	42% (67)	-	-	-	-	.11 (70)	3.02 (97)	80% (121)	8% (123)	0.9 (37)
USC Offense	13	48% (81)	46% (41)	32.5	169.2	5.2	29 (16)	.18 (36)	3.16 (28)	75% (47)	7% (17)	0.95 (74)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
SJSU Offense	12	60% (5)	41% (72)	22.8	40.6	283.2	7	12.5	17 (30)	17 (34)	.22 (81)	1.5 (106)	32% (86)	32% (48)	.29 (72)	9% (135)	1.8 (125)
USC Defense	13	51% (95)	43% (81)	-	-	-	-	-	-	12 (12)	.18 (41)	1.6 (77)	29% (110)	33% (116)	.34 (93)	5% (102)	2.1 (112)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
SJSU Defense	12	44% (21)	43% (81)	-	-	-	-	-	-	7 (38)	.34 (109)	1.8 (128)	31% (85)	28% (55)	.32 (84)	5% (118)	2.1 (114)
USC Offense	13	50% (61)	52% (4)	21.5	32.3	296	9.2	13.7	26 (22)	10 (34)	.52 (4)	1.6 (36)	27% (14)	37% (11)	.5 (10)	6% (65)	2.2 (14)

San José State's Power Ratings
San José State's Power Rating: -16.07 #133
San José State's Offense Rating: 4.30 #120
San José State's Defense Rating: 25.37 #132
2026 Talent Rating: 478.00 #122
Blue Chip Ratio: 2% #73
San José State's 2026 Expected Record: 4.3 - 8.7
San José State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -14.3 #118
San José State's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #108
San José State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.4 #115

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 486.6
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
San José State: -16.07 USC: 23.095

SP+ Ratings Matchup
San José State: -14.3 USC: 16.9

USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 23.095 #13
USC's Offense Rating: 28.07 #5
USC's Defense Rating: 8.78 #27
2026 Talent Rating: 988.00 #16
Blue Chip Ratio: 47 #12
USC's 2026 Expected Record: 8.6 - 3.4
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 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

San José State Scoring
Offense: 21.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 32.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 35.5

San José State'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 48
San José State 9

Projected Total Points: 57

USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 43
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.9

USC'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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2023	08/26	USC	56	San José State	28	USC -31.5	San José State	66.0	Over
2021	09/04	USC	30	San José State	7	USC -13.5	USC	61.0	Under
2009	09/05	USC	56	San José State	3
2001	09/01	USC	21	San José State	10
2000	09/22	USC	34	San José State	24

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
USC	5	1	1 Overs
San José State	0	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	5 - 0	1 - 1	1 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 5	1 - 1	0 - 0	1 - 1

(#133) SJSU at (#13) USC

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	SJSU	USC
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#133	#13
SP+SP+	#118	#16
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#122	#16
Blue ChipsBC%	#73	#12

San José State Notes(3/3) Vibes: Bad, this roster is really awful on paper
(3/3) Def awful LY, DC fired. Off went fast to protect OL
(3/3) QB Weaver (Haw) most exp'd, Amisone is mobile
(3/3) RB + WR pretty bleak. Need depth to rise
(3/3) OL likely bad again, only 2 starters, 3 portals
(3/3) DL is small, has 5 w exp, could they be avg?
(3/3) DBs look pretty awful, lack bodies, exp, talent
(3/3) Finished 1-6 last year, going south quickly
San José State Injury Report

USC Notes(2/14) Vibes: Tired of Riley, high on roster/crootin adds
(2/2) HC Riley running short on time & excuses
(2/1) DL is CFB's most exp'd. 6 starters back (3 portals)
(1/29) Patterson new DC (Lynn to PSU) interesting hire
(1/29) QB Maiava returns, feels underrated. Depth big ?
(1/29) RBs Miller & Jordan back w very talent Fr class
(1/29) WR only Hines, Anderson (NC St) & depth. Fr ready?
(1/29) OL has exp but avg grades at best. Must improve
(1/29) LBs avg but exp'd. Bryant (Wash) good add
(1/29) #1 croot class TY, RB, WR, Def needs would help
USC Injury Report

San José State on Offense

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat	SJSU Off	USC Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#54	#119
ExplosiveExp	#58	#16
PPAPPA	#67	#64
PowerPwr	#120	#27
SP+SP+	#108	#36
Pts POPPO	#130	#56
HavocHav	#67	#63

San José State Run Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat	SJSU Off	USC Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#28	#122
Run ExplRExp	#78	#6
PPAExp	#65	#88
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#46	#125
Stuff RateStuff	#85	#86
TackleTak	-	NR

San José State Pass Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 38%
CategoryCat	SJSU Off	USC Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#72	#81
Pass ExplPExl	#106	#77
PPAExp	#81	#41
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#2	#34
DB HavocDB	#135	#102

USC on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	USC Off	SJSU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#11	#77
ExplosiveExp	#33	#98
PPAPPA	#7	#98
PowerPwr	#5	#132
SP+SP+	#9	#115
Pts POPPO	#10	#107
HavocHav	#32	#129

USC Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	USC Off	SJSU Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#41	#67
Run ExplRExp	#74	#37
PPAExp	#36	#70
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#28	#97
Stuff RateStuff	#37	#128
TackleTak	-	NR

USC Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat	USC Off	SJSU Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#4	#81
Pass ExplPExl	#36	#128
PPAExp	#4	#109
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#17	#123
DB HavocDB	#65	#118

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

SJSU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
USC beat San José State in 2023 (56-28)

SJSU's OC Craig Stutzmann (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Luke Weaver (Tr)	63	105	60%	628	6	3	6.0
Tama Amisone	26	50	52%	205	0	3	4.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Jabari Bates	27	192	2	7.1	87
Tama Amisone	34	160	1	4.7	23
Luke Weaver (Tr)	27	73	0	2.7	13
Viliami Teu	17	70	1	4.1	9

Player Name	REC	YDS	YPC	LONG
Jordan Anderson	24	361	15.0	52
Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa	9	84	9.3	29
Cooper Hoch	5	43	8.6	13
Jabari Bates	1	12	12.0	12

View San José State's Full Roster

SJSU's DC Bojay Filimoeatu (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS
Ethan Powell	37	3	0	2
Justin Stearns	25	3	1	1
Solomone Langi	19	2	1	1
Noa Siaosi	11	1	1	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Aizik Mahuka (Tr)	7	2	1	0	0
Etu Finau	5	2	1	1	1
Solomone Langi	19	2	1	1	0
Noa Siaosi	11	1	1	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Isaiah Buxton (Tr)	11	0	0	0	2
Runye Norton	0	0	0	0	1
Etu Finau	5	2	1	1	1

USC's OC Luke Huard (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Jayden Maiava	265	403	66%	3711	24	10	9.2
Sam Huard	1	1	100%	10	0	0	10.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
King Miller	156	972	8	6.2	75
Waymond Jordan	88	576	5	6.5	40
Jayden Maiava	54	157	6	2.9	21
Riley Wormley	5	18	0	3.6	6

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Terrell Anderson (Tr)	39	629	5	16.1	75
Tanook Hines	34	561	2	16.5	51
King Miller	16	111	0	6.9	20
Zach Williams	3	80	0	26.7	61

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC Gary Patterson (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Desman Stephens II	86	3	0	1	0
Christian Pierce	64	3	1	0	3
Deven Bryant (Tr)	62	2	0	1	2
Alex VanSumeren (Tr)	50	2	2	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Kameryn Fountain	37	11	6	1	0
Braylan Shelby	27	6	5	4	0
Jide Abasiri	26	4	4	2	0
Zuriah Fisher (Tr)	19	4	2	5	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Marcelles Williams	37	0	0	4
Christian Pierce	64	3	1	3
Jontez Williams (Tr)	15	2	0	2