USC Trojans 2026 Preview
No. 10USC are 2-0 in 2026. They went 9-4 (7-2 in the Big Ten). Here is what changed on the roster, the full 2026 schedule, and where they rank going into the season.
About USC Trojans
Joined from the Pac-12 in 2024. The Coliseum has hosted two Olympic Games.
- Joined the Big Ten
- 2024
- Chief rivalries
- UCLA (Victory Bell), Notre Dame
What changed for USC in 2026
- New defensive coordinator in Gary Patterson (Baylor Consultant; Former TCU Coach - 2021)
- Jayden Maiava returns at QB after a 2025 season of 3,711 yards (5th in CFB), 24 TDs, and 10 INTs, as well as 157 rushing yards and 6 rushing TDs
- Top two RBs from last season return in King Miller (972 yards, 8 TDs) and Waymond Jordan (576 yards, 5 TDs in 6 games due to injury)
- Top two players in terms of receiving yards from last season are gone, with the top returner being Tanook Hines (561 yards, 2 TDs). NC State transfer WR Terrell Anderson is expected to start (629 yards, 5 TDs), as well as freshman TE Mark Bowman (4-Star Player, #2 TE in Class of 2026 per 247 Sports)
- Returning all five starting offensive lineman that allowed 15 sacks in 2025 (12th in CFB)
- 2025 PPG/YPG: 35.8 ppg (12th out of 136), 465.9 ypg (6th out of 136)
- Returning six starters on a defense that allowed 23.0 ppg (43rd in CFB), including their leading tackler in Desman Stephens II (89 tackles). Three transfers are expected to start, including Washington transfer LB Deven Bryant (62 tackles)
All 136 teams. Free every year via Kyle Kommes.
Fact checking by Brady Kommes; cover art by Pace Maier.
USC Trojans 2026 schedule
| Game | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose State | Home | — |
| 2 | Fresno State | Home | W 39-0 |
| 3 | Louisiana | Home | — |
| 4 | Rutgers | Away | — |
| 5 | Oregon | Home | — |
| 6 | Washington | Home | — |
| 7 | Penn State | Away | — |
| 8 | Wisconsin | Away | — |
| 9 | Ohio State | Home | — |
| 10 | Indiana | Away | — |
| 11 | Maryland | Home | — |
| 12 | UCLA | Away | — |
Get the printable USC Trojans 2026 schedule with kickoff times and TV, sized for one page.
More Big Ten previews
Illinois Fighting Illini
Indiana Hoosiers
Iowa Hawkeyes
Maryland Terrapins
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Northwestern Wildcats
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oregon Ducks
Penn State Nittany Lions
Purdue Boilermakers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
UCLA Bruins
Washington Huskies
Wisconsin BadgersRelated reading
USC Trojans betting FAQ
USC Trojans play 12 games in 2026, 7 at home. They open against San Jose State. The full schedule is listed on this page.
USC sits at No. 10 in Kyle Kommes's preseason Top 25, and he projects them as a No. 9 seed in the College Football Playoff.
USC Trojans play at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. Joined from the Pac-12 in 2024. The Coliseum has hosted two Olympic Games.
UCLA (Victory Bell), Notre Dame. USC has been a Big Ten member since 2024.
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