San José State at USC Week 1 College Football Matchup San José State at USC Matchup - Week 1
Sat, Aug 29 2026 · Week 1 · 🏟 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA · Turf · 93,607 cap
San José State✈ 304 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
San José State
13
USC
44
P&R Line USC -31.5
P&R Total O/U 56.5
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
USC has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor USC entering this game.
Momentum Control
71.6%
USC wins
Solid
Game Control
67.1%
USC wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → USC · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
San José State 2026 Schedule
San José State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29San José State at USC+31.5
Fri 9/4San José State at Eastern Michigan+8
Sat 9/12San José State vs Cal Poly-6.5
Sat 9/19San José State vs Fresno State+16.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3San José State at Hawai'i+19
Sat 10/10San José State vs Wyoming+3.5
Sat 10/17San José State at UTEP+2.5
Sat 10/24San José State at Nevada+2
Sat 10/31San José State vs New Mexico+15.5
Sat 11/7San José State vs Northern Illinois-3
Sat 11/14San José State at Air Force+13.5
Sat 11/21San José State vs UNLV+17.5
Sat 11/28San José State vs North Dakota State+15
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
All 4 Agree
→ USC
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ USC
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ USC
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
San José State #67
+0.334
USC #7
+0.530
USC Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
San José State #81
+0.406
USC #4
+0.859
USC Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
San José State #129
0.121
USC #63
0.159
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
USC Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
San José State #130
+6.303
USC #10
+8.696
USC Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
San José State #54
+0.889
USC #11
+0.910
USC Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
San José State #120
72.8
USC #120
72.8
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Even
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
San José State #135
-19.7
USC #13
17.0
Offense Rating
San José State #128
6.6
USC #9
26.2
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
San José State #135
26.3
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
San José State #86
0.82
USC #11
2.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
San José State #92
1.64
USC #7
0.31
USC +1.18
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 71.6% 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)
San José State #101
34.7
USC #39
53.5
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
San José State #105
50.3
USC #41
31.3
USC +18.8
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 67.1% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
San José State
Ken Niumatalolo #54
10–15 (40%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Craig Stutzmann Yr 3 #136
DC Bojay Filimoeatu Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.38 #99
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