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NCAAF · Final

USC Trojans Defeat San José State Spartans 42-26

Saturday, August 29, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Quick answers

Who won San José State Spartans vs USC Trojans?

USC Trojans beat San José State Spartans 42-26 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 29, 2026.

Who was favored in San José State Spartans vs USC Trojans?

USC Trojans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -100000 (about 100% implied). The favorite won.

In a decisive matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the USC Trojans showcased their strength with a 42-26 victory over the San José State Spartans. The Trojans, now holding a home record of 1-0, demonstrated their offensive prowess, continuing a trend from their previous games where they averaged 30.6 points scored while allowing 23.6 points. This win marks their second consecutive victory, extending their current winning streak to one.

The Trojans entered the game with a recent form of 7-3 over their last ten games, including a notable victory against the UCLA Bruins, where they won 29-10. In their last five games, they maintained a record of 4-1, scoring an average of 28.2 points and allowing 21.4 points. This strong performance at home, where they have a perfect record of 5-0, reflects their ability to capitalize on familiar surroundings and fan support.

On the other side, the San José State Spartans struggled, coming into the game with an away record of 0-1 and a recent form of 3-7 over their last ten games. They have faced a tough stretch, currently on a four-game losing streak, with their last game resulting in a 14-41 loss to the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Spartans' average scoring during this stretch was just 23.6 points, while they allowed a concerning 33.6 points per game. Their away performance has been particularly poor, with an away record of 0-5, and in their last five games, they averaged only 17.6 points while conceding 37.0 points.

Historically, the Trojans have had the upper hand in previous meetings against the Spartans, which adds to the significance of this matchup. The market reflected USC's dominance, with DraftKings setting the spread at -37.5 in favor of the Trojans, indicating a strong expectation for USC to outperform San José State significantly. The total points were set at 61.5, suggesting a high-scoring game was anticipated.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall performance of both teams may have been influenced by the health and availability of key players. The conditions at the Coliseum were likely favorable for a high-energy game, contributing to the Trojans' ability to execute their game plan effectively.

As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a display of offensive talent from the Trojans, who capitalized on their home-field advantage. The final score of 42-26 not only reflects a solid win for USC but also highlights the challenges faced by the Spartans as they continue to search for answers in their season. The Trojans' ability to maintain control and score efficiently will be critical as they look to build on this momentum in future matchups.

What we said beforehand

The USC Trojans will kick off their season against the San José State Spartans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 29, 2026. This matchup marks the beginning of a new campaign for both teams, who are entering the game with a clean slate, each holding a record of 0-0.

The Trojans come into this game with a recent record of 7-3 over their last ten games, including a win streak of one. Their scoring average in this span has been 30.6 points per game, while they have allowed an average of 23.6 points. In their last five games, they have won four, with an average score of 28.2 points and allowing 21.4 points. Their most recent game was a victory against the UCLA Bruins, where they won 29-10 at home on November 30, 2025. USC has been particularly strong at home, boasting a perfect home record of 5-0 in their last ten games.

On the other hand, the San José State Spartans have struggled recently, holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten games and currently on a four-game losing streak. They have averaged 23.6 points scored per game while allowing 33.6 points. In their last five games, they have only managed to win once, with an average of 17.6 points scored and 37.0 points allowed. Their latest outing was a loss to the Fresno State Bulldogs, where they fell 14-41 on November 30, 2025. The Spartans have not found success on the road, holding an away record of 0-5 in their last ten games.

In terms of previous meetings, there are no specific matchups listed in the block, but the context of each team's recent form suggests that USC will be favored in this encounter. The market reflects this sentiment, with DraftKings setting the spread at USC -37.5 and the total at 61.5, with both the over and under priced at -110.

Weather conditions for the game are expected to be warm, with a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and no precipitation forecasted. Wind gusts may reach up to 8 miles per hour, which could have a minor impact on the passing game.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how the Trojans leverage their home advantage and high-scoring capabilities against a Spartans team that has struggled defensively. The performance of the Spartans will be critical, especially in overcoming their recent form and finding ways to score against a strong USC defense. This season opener promises to be an intriguing matchup as both teams look to set the tone for their respective seasons.

Odds

BookSpreadTotalMoneyline
DraftKingsUSC -37.5 61.5 o -105 / u -115 San José State Spartans +5000 · USC Trojans -100000

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

  • Passing yardsJayden Maiava25/29, 286 YDS, 2 TDUSC Trojans
  • Rushing yardsKing Miller15 CAR, 63 YDS, 1 TDUSC Trojans
  • Receiving yardsTrent Mosley7 REC, 118 YDS, 1 TDUSC Trojans
  • Passing yardsLuke Weaver21/32, 234 YDS, 2 TDSan José State Spartans
  • Rushing yardsLuke Weaver8 CAR, 42 YDS, 1 TDSan José State Spartans
  • Receiving yardsCarson Clark6 REC, 74 YDSSan José State Spartans

Recent form

USC Trojans

Last 10: 7-3Streak W130.6 scored · 23.6 allowed per game5-0 at home

  • W29-10vs UCLA BruinsNov 30
  • L27-42at Oregon DucksNov 22
  • W26-21vs Iowa HawkeyesNov 15
  • W38-17vs Northwestern WildcatsNov 8
  • W21-17at Nebraska CornhuskersNov 1
  • L24-34at Notre Dame Fighting IrishOct 18
  • W31-13vs Michigan WolverinesOct 11
  • L32-34at Illinois Fighting IlliniSep 27
  • W45-31vs Michigan State SpartansSep 21
  • W33-17at Purdue BoilermakersSep 13

San José State Spartans

Last 10: 3-7Streak L423.6 scored · 33.6 allowed per game0-5 away

  • L14-41vs Fresno State BulldogsNov 30
  • L3-25at San Diego State AztecsNov 23
  • L10-55at Nevada Wolf PackNov 15
  • L16-26vs Air Force FalconsNov 8
  • W45-38vs Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsNov 2
  • L25-30at Utah State AggiesOct 18
  • L28-35at Wyoming CowboysOct 11
  • W35-28vs New Mexico LobosOct 4
  • L29-30at Stanford CardinalSep 27
  • W31-28vs Idaho VandalsSep 20

Standings

TeamOverallIn conference
North Dakota State1-00-0
Air Force0-00-0
Nevada0-00-0
New Mexico0-00-0
Northern Illinois0-00-0
UTEP0-00-0
Wyoming0-00-0
Hawai'i0-10-0
San José State0-10-0
UNLV0-10-0
USC1-00-0
Illinois0-00-0
Indiana0-00-0
Iowa0-00-0
Maryland0-00-0
Michigan State0-00-0
Michigan0-00-0
Minnesota0-00-0
Nebraska0-00-0
Northwestern0-00-0
Ohio State0-00-0
Oregon0-00-0
Penn State0-00-0
Purdue0-00-0
Rutgers0-00-0
UCLA0-00-0
Washington0-00-0
Wisconsin0-00-0

Box score

StatSan José State SpartansUSC Trojans
First downs1829
Third downs5-119-13
Fourth downs0-11-2
Total yards336505
Net passing yards234341
Completions21/3230/36
Yards per pass7.39.5
Rushing yards102164
Rushing attempts2440
Yards per rush4.34.1
Penalties1-155-34
Turnovers01
Fumbles lost00
Interceptions thrown01
Time of possession22:4537:15

Win probability

Above the line favours USC Trojans, below favours San José State Spartans.

Venue

  • Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA
  • Attendance51144

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Fixture data from the league feeds. The report was written from the recorded facts for this game and nothing else.