USC kicked off their 2026 season with a dominant 42-26 win over San Jose State, showcasing strong energy right out of the gate. The team also announced its first permanent captains since 2023 — QB Jayden Maiava, OL Kilian O’Connor and Tobias Raymond, and DL Alex VanSumeren and Jide Abasiri — signaling a new leadership era. With transfers bringing outside experience and homegrown talent anchoring the core, the Trojans turn their focus to Friday’s showdown against Fresno State at the Coliseum, broadcast on Fox at 6 PM Pacific. Watch how these captains shape the season’s momentum.

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Luke Wafle, USC’s massive freshman defensive end, is already rewriting the script — six-foot-six, 265 pounds, and dominating from day one. The No. 1 recruit in his class, he started Week 1 and brought relentless energy, instantly becoming a defensive “alpha.” With USC rebuilding its trenches for Big Ten battles, Wafle might be the game-changing anchor they’ve been waiting for.

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USC’s season opener looked like a spring game, not a powerhouse kickoff, with social media buzzing over suspiciously sparse crowds—some even suspecting staff were counted to inflate numbers. Critics like Nick Watts and Stewart Mandel slammed the optics, warning that empty seats hurt more than losses, damaging recruiting and sponsor perception in college sports’ cutthroat world. Now, attention turns to Notre Dame’s big showdown against Wisconsin, where the Irish, ranked fourth and led by a Heisman hopeful, face a crucial test—and USC’s image crisis looms as a major red flag for the future.

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USC’s season opener against San Jose State drew shockingly low attendance, sparking national backlash — including a fiery critique from ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, who called it embarrassing for a team poised to be Big Ten contenders. The Trojans’ athletic department responded with an unusual apology, acknowledging the sparse crowd and thanking those who showed up — hinting at a desperate need for home-field energy as they gear up for Friday’s night game against Fresno State.

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USC Trojans return to the Coliseum this Friday night for a high-stakes showdown against Fresno State, aiming to build on their season opener and start 2-0. With a hefty 21-dollar ticket price and cooler weather than last time, fans are watching to see if attendance rebounds. Despite being heavy favorites—expected to win by over 20 points—the Trojans must deliver to satisfy bettors after falling short in their opener. Historically dominant against Fresno State (4 wins in last 5), USC is riding an eight-game home winning streak and looking to put on a show under the lights. Kickoff: 6 PM PT on FOX.

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USC’s home opener drew a surprisingly sparse crowd, sparking national debate—and a pointed jab from Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire, who reminded everyone his team fills 60,000 seats even in the heat. While extreme temps likely played a role, McGuire’s comment hints that passionate fan culture might be the real draw—something USC’s quieter turnout may lack. Despite a convincing 42-26 win over the Spartans, the low attendance overshadowed the victory, prompting USC to acknowledge the issue and vow to build momentum for future games. The conversation isn’t over—and it’s only getting hotter.

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RGIII drops his early Heisman rankings after week zero, crowning USC’s Jayden Maiava as the top contender for his stellar debut—286 yards, two TDs, and a rushing score. Beau Pribula (Virginia), Trent Mosley (USC), Ousmane Kromah (FSU), and David Warren (Stanford) round out his top five. But with the season just beginning, RGIII admits it’s too early to crown true contenders—names like Darian Mensah, Arch Manning, and Jeremiah Smith are still on the sidelines, set to ignite competition in week one. Early hype is fun, but the real Heisman race won’t truly take shape until these stars hit the field—and keep performing.

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USC and Fresno State are set to clash again in the Coliseum, but this time it’s flipped—Fresno State wears the Pac-12 logo while USC is the non-conference underdog. A wild twist fueled by conference realignment that leaves fans scratching their heads, reminding everyone how fast and unpredictable college football has become.

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