USC Trojans 2026 Schedule: Top 5 Must-Watch Games

The USC Trojans are gearing up for what could be a wild 2026 college football season. Their focus? Making it into the College Football Playoff (CFP) at last.

After just missing the CFP in 2025 with a 9-3 record, the Trojans are hungry for a spot in the new 12-team bracket. Lincoln Riley, now in his fifth year, leads a team facing a gauntlet of tough matchups that’ll shape their playoff hopes.

Let’s dig into the most intriguing games on USC’s 2026 schedule and what fans might actually see in these high-stakes showdowns.

Oct. 11: USC Trojans vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

That road game at Penn State on October 11? Yeah, it’s a big one. Beaver Stadium is already intimidating, but if it ends up being Penn State’s whiteout game, the energy will be off the charts.

USC’s got another twist here: they’ll be facing D’Anton Lynn, their old defensive coordinator. Riley’s USC teams haven’t exactly thrived in tough road settings, so this feels like a must-win if they want to stay in the CFP chase.

Key Factors

Hostile Environment: Penn State’s whiteout is infamous for rattling visiting teams and could really throw USC off their rhythm.
Coaching Familiarity: D’Anton Lynn knows USC’s playbook inside and out, which just complicates things even more.

Nov. 28: USC Trojans vs. UCLA Bruins

The Crosstown Rivalry at the Rose Bowl on November 28 always gets the blood pumping. This year, it’s Bob Chesney’s first rivalry game as UCLA’s head coach, which adds a little extra spice.

UCLA’s starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava is back, and with Chesney at the helm, the Bruins could surprise a lot of people in the Big Ten. Don’t sleep on them—there’s some real energy building in Westwood.

Rivalry Dynamics

New Leadership: Chesney’s first taste of the rivalry could shake things up in unexpected ways.
Quarterback Showdown: Iamaleava’s return gives UCLA a real shot to push USC’s defense to its limits.
Victory Bell: UCLA is desperate to get the Victory Bell back after dropping the last two to USC.

Nov. 14: USC Trojans vs. Indiana Hoosiers

November 14 brings what might be USC’s toughest road test: Indiana. Even without Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers still look dangerous.

Coach Curt Cignetti has worked the transfer portal hard, so Indiana’s not just resting on last year’s Big Ten title. They’re still in the mix, no question.

Challenges Ahead

Defending Champions: Indiana’s Big Ten title last season means they’re carrying a target—and USC knows it.
New Offensive Threats: Quarterback Josh Hoover and receiver Nick Marsh should give USC’s new-look defense under Gary Patterson plenty to worry about.

Oct. 31: USC Trojans vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Halloween night at the Coliseum? That’s when USC hosts Ohio State for the first time since joining the Big Ten. It’s also the first coaching face-off between Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day—should be electric.

This one could have massive CFP implications for both teams. If you’re a college football fan, you’re probably circling this date already.

Game Highlights

Historic Meeting: It’s the first Big Ten clash between USC and Ohio State, which feels kind of surreal.
Quarterback Duel: Jayden Maiava for USC and Julian Sayin for Ohio State—both lit it up last season, and this matchup could come down to whichever QB stays hot.
Heisman Contenders: With both Maiava and Sayin in the Heisman conversation, this game could shape the race.

Sept. 26: USC Trojans vs. Oregon Ducks

USC’s early-season battle with Oregon on September 26 at the Coliseum is another one to watch. They’ve dropped two straight to Dan Lanning’s Ducks, and last year’s 42-27 loss at Autzen kept them out of the CFP.

Beating Oregon this time would send a message—and maybe, just maybe, help put USC back in the playoff picture.

Redemption Quest

Breaking the Streak: Lincoln Riley is 0-2 against Oregon. This game’s a shot at redemption.
Quarterback Battle: Jayden Maiava facing off with Oregon’s Dante Moore? That’s shaping up to be an electrifying duel.
CFP Implications: If USC takes down Oregon, their CFP chances could get a serious boost.

The USC Trojans are heading into their 2026 season with plenty of buzz. Out of all the games, five really jump out as the most intriguing and, honestly, the ones that could define their year.

There’s a blend of tough road trips, old-school rivalries, and high-stakes matchups. USC will have to be sharp—and maybe a little lucky—if they want to make a real CFP run.

Want more details or just curious about how the season’s shaping up? Check out the full article here.