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. Pacific Time start, a time slot that presented logistical challenges for fans in the Los Angeles area due to typical Saturday traffic and high parking costs. The conditions were further complicated by intense heat and humidity. Despite the low initial attendance, the crowd grew somewhat by the late first quarter before thinning out as the game's outcome became clear early on. On the field, the Trojans' starters dominated for much of the contest. Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns. The USC defense held San Jose State's offense to just 102 total yards and 3.