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This past week, the Big Ten revealed USC’s conference schedule for the 2026 season. We now know when and where the Trojans’ nine conference matchups will take place this fall.
But what about their three nonconference games? Two of those contests have already been confirmed: Fresno State at the Coliseum on September 5 and Louisiana on September 12. With USC and Notre Dame sadly not facing off in 2026, however, the Trojans still have one opening remaining on their schedule.
Following the Big Ten schedule release, USC confirmed what have been speculated for a bit: The Trojans will open their season with a Week Zero game at the Coliseum on August 29. The opponent for that game is still yet to be determined.
In order to be eligible to play a Week Zero game, the game needs to either be played outside of the United States or involve a team that plays a game at Hawaii during the season. So unless California decides to secede from the United States between now and August (highly unlikely, but hey, you never know), USC will need to find a team that plays at Hawaii in 2026 to face Week Zero.
By playing Week Zero, USC would give itself an extra week off during the regular season. The Trojans are currently scheduled to be off on both October 17 and November 7.
The Trojans last played in Week Zero in 2023, when they hosted San Jose State. While USC won that game 56-28, the extra week off ultimately did not prove to be of much benefit, as the Trojans finished the regular season 7-5.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football to host Week Zero game at LA Coliseum in 2026
Continue reading...
But what about their three nonconference games? Two of those contests have already been confirmed: Fresno State at the Coliseum on September 5 and Louisiana on September 12. With USC and Notre Dame sadly not facing off in 2026, however, the Trojans still have one opening remaining on their schedule.
Following the Big Ten schedule release, USC confirmed what have been speculated for a bit: The Trojans will open their season with a Week Zero game at the Coliseum on August 29. The opponent for that game is still yet to be determined.
In order to be eligible to play a Week Zero game, the game needs to either be played outside of the United States or involve a team that plays a game at Hawaii during the season. So unless California decides to secede from the United States between now and August (highly unlikely, but hey, you never know), USC will need to find a team that plays at Hawaii in 2026 to face Week Zero.
By playing Week Zero, USC would give itself an extra week off during the regular season. The Trojans are currently scheduled to be off on both October 17 and November 7.
The Trojans last played in Week Zero in 2023, when they hosted San Jose State. While USC won that game 56-28, the extra week off ultimately did not prove to be of much benefit, as the Trojans finished the regular season 7-5.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football to host Week Zero game at LA Coliseum in 2026
Continue reading...
