USC plays San Jose State in Week 0 of the college football season. The matchup is presented by outlets as a first test for USC as the new campaign begins, while San Jose State is positioned as an early opponent for USC to establish its form.
The previews and betting-oriented coverage emphasize uncertainty and differing expectations heading into the game. CBS Sports frames the matchup as a contrast in outlooks for the two programs, focusing on start time, odds, and game predictions tied to early-season assumptions. The New York Post similarly centers its preview on the difficulty of setting expectations for USC, reflecting that national expectations for the Trojans are not uniformly settled at the season’s start.
Across the articles, the common thread is that the game functions as a Week 0 opener and that forecasting outcomes relies on early indicators such as projected team strength and initial betting markets, rather than established season performance.
