One Month Until Kickoff: USC Ready to Begin a New Season

LOS ANGELES — Football season is almost here.

With just one month remaining until kickoff, excitement continues to build around the USC football program as the Trojans prepare to open the 2026 season on Aug. 29 against San José State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

After an offseason filled with recruiting success, roster development and high expectations, USC enters the year looking to take another step forward in the Big Ten. Head coach Lincoln Riley returns an experienced group led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, while one of the nation’s top recruiting classes has added even more talent throughout the roster.

The next month will be filled with preseason camp, position battles and final preparations before the Trojans take the field in front of the home crowd. Coaches will use the remaining weeks to determine the starting lineup, build chemistry and fine-tune both sides of the football.

The schedule offers little time to ease into the season. Following the opener against San José State, USC hosts Fresno State and Louisiana before conference play begins. A challenging Big Ten slate awaits, featuring matchups against Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, Penn State and crosstown rival UCLA.

For players, the countdown means every practice becomes more important. For coaches, every rep is another opportunity to prepare for one of the toughest schedules in college football. And for fans, kickoff represents the return of Saturdays at the Coliseum.

The offseason is nearly over.

In one month, the lights will come on, the Coliseum will fill with cardinal and gold, and the Trojans will begin another season with championship aspirations.

The countdown has officially entered its final month.