Is USC’s terrible Week 0 attendance a big deal?

Is USC’s terrible Week 0 attendance a big deal?

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Is USC’s terrible Week 0 attendance a big deal?

College football kicked off its final Week 0 as the 2026 season got underway. Starting in 2027, there will not be a Week 0, with teams beginning their seasons at the same time. Still, a few Power Four teams got their seasons underway this weekend.

The USC Trojans are one of college football’s most historic programs. They have produced multiple national titles, Heisman Trophy winners, and future NFL Hall of Famers. 2026, though, is a make-or-break season for head coach Lincoln Riley.

USC opened its season against San Jose State and the attendance was noticeably poor. Not only did it circulate on social media, but it also stuck out on the television broadcast. Granted, USC faced a team it was heavily favored to beat, but shouldn’t there be more support on hand for this blue-blood program?

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Or are we just overreacting?

NCAA Football: San Jose State at Southern California

Aug 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans song girls cheerleaders perform during the game against the San Jose State Spartans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Where is everyone?

According to ESPN, the official attendance was 51,144 on Saturday. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has a capacity of more than 77,000, meaning roughly two-thirds of the stadium was filled for what could be a pivotal season for USC.

What would the reaction be if Texas, Notre Dame or Alabama only filled its stadium to two-thirds capacity on opening day? It would be baffling. USC hasn’t been a legitimate national contender in years, but this is still a program with deep roots in college football’s history.

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Is it a big deal? Absolutely. Compared to 2025, USC’s announced attendance dropped by more than 10,000 for its season opener.

NCAA Football: San Jose State at Southern California

Aug 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) celebrates with running back Waymond Jordan (2) after scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Now there are some factors to consider, of course. San Jose State isn’t exactly a marquee opponent and Week 0 games can have a different atmosphere than traditional opening weekends. Still, the empty seats were impossible to ignore.

The Coliseum likely won’t consistently fill to capacity until USC becomes a legitimate contender again. Perhaps Saturday’s crowd was less about the opponent. Maybe it was more about the confidence, or lack thereof, the fan base has in Riley and the direction of the program.

For a program that once routinely commanded national attention, that’s a troubling sign.

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