The hype around the 2026 USC football schedule is already getting a bit ridiculous. Look, we all knew joining the Big Ten wasn't going to be a walk in the park. But looking at the 2026 lineup? It's basically a gauntlet. If you thought the transition years were stressful, this upcoming season is basically the "final boss" level of scheduling.
We’re talking about a year where the Trojans have to deal with heavyweights like Ohio State and Oregon coming to the Coliseum, while also surviving brutal trips to Happy Valley and Madison. Honestly, it’s the kind of schedule that either makes a program a national title contender or breaks a coaching staff's spirit.
The Non-Conference Warmup (Sorta)
USC starts things off at home, which is nice. They’ve got Fresno State on September 5th and then Louisiana on September 12th. On paper, these should be wins. 2-0. Easy, right?
Well, maybe. Fresno State isn’t exactly a pushover program, and the Ragin' Cajuns have a habit of making big teams sweat. But the real elephant in the room is Notre Dame. Usually, there’s a locked-in date for the Irish, but the 2026 slot is currently a bit of a question mark as both schools work through the logistics of the new conference era. If that game gets added late in the season, this schedule goes from "tough" to "absolutely punishing."
Big Ten Home Stand: The Coliseum Will Be Rocking
The Big Ten officially announced the home and away opponents a while back, and USC fans definitely got their money’s worth for season tickets in 2026.
✨ Don't miss: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Who’s Coming to LA?
First off, Ohio State. That’s the big one. Having the Buckeyes at the Coliseum is going to be one of the most expensive tickets in the country that year. Then you’ve got Oregon. With Dante Moore deciding to return to the Ducks for the 2026 season, that matchup just became ten times more terrifying for the Trojans' secondary.
Maryland and Washington also make the trip to Los Angeles. Washington is always a grudge match, and Maryland represents that new "East Coast" flavor of the Big Ten that still feels a little weird to see in Southern California.
The Brutal Road Path
This is where things get dicey. If you've ever been to a game at Penn State, you know. The "White Out" is a real thing, and USC has to travel to Beaver Stadium in 2026.
The road schedule also includes:
🔗 Read more: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
- Wisconsin: A trip to Camp Randall is never fun in late autumn.
- Indiana: Don't sleep on the Hoosiers under Curt Cignetti; they’ve become a tough out.
- Rutgers: A cross-country flight to New Jersey is a logistical nightmare.
- UCLA: The annual battle for the Victory Bell at the Rose Bowl.
It’s a lot of miles. Like, a lot of miles. Managing the jet lag alone is going to be a full-time job for the training staff.
2026 USC Football Schedule: The Breakdown
Since the Big Ten doesn't release specific dates for conference games until much closer to the season, we only have the "Who" and "Where" for now. But we can piece together what the year looks like.
| Potential Window | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 5 | Fresno State | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| September 12 | Louisiana | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| TBA | Ohio State | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| TBA | Oregon | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| TBA | Washington | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| TBA | Maryland | LA Memorial Coliseum |
| TBA | at Penn State | University Park, PA |
| TBA | at Wisconsin | Madison, WI |
| TBA | at Indiana | Bloomington, IN |
| TBA | at Rutgers | Piscataway, NJ |
| TBA | at UCLA | Rose Bowl, Pasadena |
Why 2026 Matters So Much for Lincoln Riley
By the time 2026 rolls around, Lincoln Riley will be in his fifth season. The "honeymoon" phase is long gone. The "rebuilding" excuses won't fly anymore. This is the year where the depth chart he’s built since 2022 needs to show up.
One of the biggest concerns for USC has always been the trenches. Can they hold up against an Ohio State or a Penn State defensive line in late November? In the Pac-12, you could sometimes out-athlete people. In the Big Ten, you get bruised. If USC wants to make the 12-team (or potentially larger by then) College Football Playoff, they probably can't afford more than two losses with this strength of schedule.
💡 You might also like: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
Survival Guide for Fans
If you're planning on following the Trojans in 2026, start saving your airline miles now. The trips to the Midwest and East Coast are going to be pricey.
Keep an eye on the mid-week schedule releases usually handled by the Big Ten in the spring of 2026. That’s when we’ll find out if the Penn State game is a night game or if the Rutgers trip is a "trap game" sandwiched between two giants.
Basically, the 2026 USC football schedule is a gauntlet of historic proportions. It’s exactly why USC moved to the Big Ten—for the big stages and the massive TV ratings—but it’s also the biggest hurdle the program has faced in decades.
Actionable Next Steps for USC Fans:
- Check your Season Ticket Status: With Ohio State and Oregon on the home slate, the 2026 season ticket deposits are going to be at an all-time high. If you aren't already on the list, the Bloom Center and the Trojan Victory Fund are the places to start.
- Monitor the Notre Dame News: The 2026 rivalry game is still technically "TBA" on several official calendars. Follow local beat writers like those at the LA Times or Orange County Register for updates on whether this remains a season-ender or moves to an earlier slot.
- Plan for Travel: If you only pick one road game, make it Penn State. It’s one of the best atmospheres in sports, though you should book your State College hotel at least a year in advance—they fill up fast.