The San Jose State Spartans take on the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, Aug. 29. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
USC is favored by -39 points on the spread with a moneyline of -10000. San Jose State, meanwhile, enters as a +39 underdog and is +3000 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 61 total points.
Here’s my San Jose State vs. USC prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 29.
San Jose St vs USC Prediction
- San Jose State vs. USC Pick: USC Team Total Over 49.5
My USC vs. San Jose State best bet is on the Trojans to go over their team total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
San Jose State vs USC Odds
| San Jose State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+39 -110 | 61 -110o / -110u | +3000 |
| USC Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-39 -110 | 61 -110o / -110u | -10000 |
- San Jose State vs USC point spread: USC -39 (-110), San Jose State +39 (-110)
- San Jose State vs USC over/under: 61 (-110o / -110u)
- San Jose State vs USC moneyline: San Jose State +3000, USC -10000
San Jose State vs USC College Football Betting Preview
San Jose State Spartans Betting Preview: A New Field General
Late into camp, offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann and head coach Ken Niumatalolo determined a starting quarterback for San Jose State.
Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver earned the job over redshirt freshman Robert McDaniel and true freshman Daniel Rolovich in a race Niumatalolo called "agonizingly tight."
Weaver won the position because of his ability to process on offense.
San Jose State looks to rebound after a 2025 season that saw its offense commit 10 fumbles and 17 interceptions.
Weaver was an early starter at Hawaii in 2025 against Sam Houston and Portland, but he ended the 2025 campaign with more turnover-worthy plays than big-time throws.
HAWAI'I GOES FOR IT ON 4TH DOWN TO ICE THE GAME WITH A 1ST DOWN AND INSTEAD LUKE "DREAM" WEAVER THROWS A BEAUTIFUL TOUCHDOWN!
WE LOVE YOU HAWAI'I pic.twitter.com/C6uqn20YAP
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) September 7, 2025
The one group genuinely rebuilt for the better is the receiver room, with Jordan Anderson, Anthony Ivey and Jerry McClure joining holdovers Tama Amisone and Cooper Hoch.
Wide receiver Malachi Riley also returned to practice after a lower-body injury ended his 2025 season in Week 1.
A fresh offensive line will have its first test of the season, as portal tackles Brian Tapu and Ikinasio Tupou draw their first live Power 4 pass-rush test in the Coliseum.
Coordinator Bojay Filimoeatu enters Year 2 of his scheme with a copious amount of questions on the defensive line after the unit generated just 17 sacks in 2025.
The linebacker unit will be the most credentialed group on the roster, with redshirt senior Ethan Powell and junior Naseri Danielson both carrying preseason All-Mountain West honors.
On a positive note, special teams continues to be a strength for Niumatalolo. Both kicker Trajan Sinatra and punter Trent Carrizosa earned preseason second-team All-Mountain West honors.
USC Trojans Betting Preview: A Revived Defense?
USC will enter the 2026 season with Jayden Maiava under center once again, entering his third season with the Trojans.
The senior was dominant in 2025, posting 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and a low 2.6% turnover-worthy play rate in a clean pocket.
The supporting cast is loaded, led by a pair of running backs in Waymond Jordan and King Miller. Before an injury ended his season, Jordan was averaging more than five yards after first contact.
USC JC Transfer Waymond Jordan is an electric RB. Made for Lincoln Riley's offense pic.twitter.com/S7RtWSD3Ft
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) August 30, 2025
A new hire at defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson, certainly caught attention in the offseason. The former TCU head coach had aggressive top-five defenses in the past, as the USC defensive front is expected to be Havoc-minded.
The questions come on the second and third levels, where numerous names on the two-deep depth chart lack experience. Patterson's 4-2-5 scheme will depend on fast linebackers with correct tackling fundamentals.
Desman Stephens II will lead the group to start the season, but the defensive back group must produce in games beyond San Jose State.
San Jose State vs USC Pick, Betting Analysis
The transfer portal continues to take the quality players from San Jose State, sending Niumatalolo into another season of rebuilding a roster.
The loss of wide receiver Danny Scudero will force the Spartans to start over in finding playmakers for the spread-and-shred offense.
Weaver does have game experience under center, but a beefed-up USC defensive line could have the quarterback scrambling from the first snap.
This is a game in which USC head coach Lincoln Riley can name his score. This isn't a lookahead spot for the Trojans with upcoming games against Fresno State and Louisiana taking place in the Coliseum.
Riley is no stranger to naming his offensive score, beating Missouri State and Georgia Southern by a combined 99 points last season. In the previous two seasons, USC plowed Utah State, 48-0, and Nevada, 66-14.
The Action Network Power Ratings suggest the spread should reside at USC -39.5, as the market has bounced between 38.5 and 40 through the week leading up to kickoff.
Using our key betting numbers in totals, the current number resides between the keys of 59 and 62. The best bet may be to avoid the unknown of the San Jose State skill-position players and the USC secondary.
Riley will be sure to get as many touches as possible for his running backs and a fresh litter of wide receivers needing targets.
Pick: USC Team Total Over 49.5 or Better
San Jose State vs USC Betting Trends
