Fresno State at USC Week 1 College Football Matchup Fresno State at USC Matchup - Week 1
Sat, Sep 5 2026 · Week 1 · 🏟 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA · Turf · 93,607 cap
Fresno State✈ 210 miSame TZ
VS
USC
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Fresno State
17
USC
35
P&R Line USC -17.5
P&R Total O/U 51.5
Confidence 63 Moderate
Matchup Prediction
USC has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor USC entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
USC wins
Lean
Game Control
50.6%
USC wins
Toss-up
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → USC · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
Fresno State 2026 Schedule
Fresno State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Fresno State at USC+17.5
Sat 9/12Fresno State vs Sacramento State-9.5
Sat 9/19Fresno State at San José State-16.5
Sat 9/26Fresno State vs Rice-20.5
Sat 10/3Fresno State at Washington State-0.5
Sat 10/10Fresno State vs Boise State-1.5
Sat 10/17Fresno State at San Diego State+5.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Fresno State vs Oregon State-16
Sat 11/7Fresno State at Utah State-5.5
Sat 11/14Fresno State at Texas State+4
Sat 11/21Fresno State vs Colorado State-17
Sat 11/28Fresno State vs TBD-25.5
USC 2026 Schedule
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29USC vs San José State-31.5
Sat 9/5USC vs Fresno State-17.5
Sat 9/12USC vs Louisiana-26.5
Sat 9/19USC at Rutgers-15
Sat 9/26USC vs Oregon+5.5
Sat 10/3USC vs Washington-4.5
Sat 10/10USC at Penn State-1
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24USC at Wisconsin-16.5
Sat 10/31USC vs Ohio State+9
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14USC at Indiana+14.5
Sat 11/21USC vs Maryland-17
Sat 11/28USC at UCLA-8.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
USC PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ USC
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Fresno State #106
+0.262
USC #7
+0.435
USC Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Fresno State #64
+0.438
USC #4
+0.669
USC Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Fresno State #30
0.174
USC #63
0.159
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Fresno State Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Fresno State #111
+6.823
USC #10
+7.920
USC Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Fresno State #111
+0.840
USC #11
+0.878
USC Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Fresno State #5
66.4
USC #120
72.8
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Fresno State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
USC Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Fresno State #56
2.4
USC #13
17.0
Offense Rating
Fresno State #73
15.1
USC #9
26.2
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Fresno State #43
12.8
USC #21
9.1
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? USC Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Fresno State #39
1.42
USC #11
2.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Fresno State #13
0.58
USC #7
0.31
USC +0.58
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? USC Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Fresno State #56
50.6
USC #39
53.5
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Fresno State #48
33.3
USC #41
31.3
USC +2.8
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
Fresno State
Matt Entz #64
9–4 (69%) · Yr 2 at school
OC Josh Davis Yr 2 #107
DC Nick Benedetto Yr 2 #14
Staff Rating
2.98 #51
USC
Lincoln Riley #15
36–17 (68%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Luke Huard Yr 2 #40
DC Gary Patterson Yr 1 #34
Staff Rating
3.46 #20
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself