USC just rolled over San Jose State last weekend, dropping 42 points on them in a 42-26 win. But let’s be real, that score isn’t the main thing everyone was buzzing about after the game. The talk? All about the number of empty seats scattered through the stands at what should have been a packed home opener. That’s a huge vibe check for a program trying to make a statement!
Welcome to the Bizarro Pac-12, Folks
This Friday night clash against Fresno State isn’t just another game; it’s a peek into the bizarro world that college football has become. Remember when USC was the undisputed king of the Pac-12? Well, they bounced, taking UCLA with them to the Big Ten, and then Washington and Oregon followed suit. That left Oregon State and Washington State holding the bag in what became a two-team conference. Now, the Pac-12 is back, but it’s an eight-team league with a serious Mountain West flavor, and Fresno State is one of the newcomers. So you’ve got a former Pac-12 powerhouse battling a team making its debut in this new-look conference. Wild, right?
Trojans Dominate at Home, Bulldogs Struggle Against the Elite
Look, when USC plays at home in nonconference games under Coach Lincoln Riley, they are typically electric. Their record? A stellar 9-1, with an insane average of 52.8 points scored per game! The only hiccup was a tough 49-35 loss to No. 5 Notre Dame back in 2024 to close out that regular season. That’s it. For Fresno State, however, this kind of matchup is a different beast entirely. They are a solid program, maybe even contenders in this *new* Pac-12, but history shows they really struggle against top-tier competition. Their all-time record against AP Top 15 teams is a dismal 2-25. Plus, they’ve only managed one win in their last eight games against Big Ten opponents, though that 2023 season opener win at Purdue was pretty sweet for them. Can they overcome those odds against a team that already has a win under its belt and zero rust?
All eyes are on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum this Friday night at 9 p.m. ET on Fox. USC is looking to move to 2-0, riding high after that season opener. They’re already warmed up, no rust, and ready to put on a show. Fresno State, meanwhile, has a chance to prove they belong in this new Pac-12, but they’re facing a dominant home team that performs incredibly well in these spots. Will the cooler Friday night temperatures bring out more fans? More importantly, can the Bulldogs keep this one competitive? We’ll find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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