USC wins opener amid sparse crowd

The 2026 college football season began on Saturday, August 29, with a Week 0 schedule featuring eight games across the country and in Dublin, Ireland. The slate was highlighted by a matchup between No. 14 USC and San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Trojans secured a 42-26 victory in their season opener. USC's win was not without its talking points, as the team faced criticism for a sparse crowd at kickoff and a fourth-quarter performance where backups allowed San Jose State to narrow the deficit. The game was broadcast on NBC with a 12 p.m.