USC to face Fresno State in surreal Pac-12 fixture as Trojans chase second win
The No. 14 Trojans host the Bulldogs at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a match that highlights the conference’s recent structural upheaval.
No. 14 USC is set to host Fresno State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday night, aiming for a second consecutive victory to start the season. The Trojans secured a 42-26 win over San Jose State in their previous outing, though that match drew attention for low attendance due to hot conditions. With the game scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern Time, a cooler atmosphere may offer a different environment for the home crowd.
The fixture presents a unique governance challenge for the Pac-12 conference, reflecting the significant realignment that has reshaped the league. USC recently departed the conference to join the Big Ten, a move that triggered a cascade of departures including UCLA, Washington, and Oregon. The conference subsequently expanded to eight teams, bringing in newcomers such as Fresno State. This creates a scenario where a former Pac-12 institution faces a team playing its first game under the new conference banner.
USC enters the match with a strong track record in non-conference home games under head coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans hold a 9-1 record in such contests, with their only loss coming against No. 5 Notre Dame in the 2024 regular season. In these matches, USC has averaged 52.8 points per game, suggesting a dominant offensive capability when playing on home soil.
Conversely, Fresno State has historically struggled against top-tier competition. The Bulldogs possess a 2-25 all-time record against teams ranked in the AP top 15. While they are considered contenders in the expanded Pac-12, their performance against elite opponents has been limited. They are also 1-7 in their last eight games against Big Ten teams, although they did win their 2023 season opener at Purdue.
SportsLine’s computer model, which has simulated the game 10,000 times, predicts a USC victory with a spread of -21.5 points. The model, which is on a 32-19 run for top-rated college football money-line picks since the 2024 season, suggests the Trojans’ early rhythm and home advantage will be decisive factors.
The game will be broadcast on Fox and streamed on Fubo. It marks a significant early test for both programs as they navigate the new competitive landscape of the 2026 college football season.
