USC vs Rutgers live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, analysis

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

USC football goes to New Jersey to play the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the 2026 Big Ten season opener. The nonconference portion of the schedule is done. Now the Trojans enter the nine-game Big Ten schedule with eyes on the College Football Playoff and a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Rutgers is not expected to challenge USC. The Scarlet Knights lost by double digits to UMass at home in a game they were favored to win by 30 points. Then Rutgers lost to a Boston College team which might finish at the bottom of the ACC this season. Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano is on the hot seat entering this game. If Rutgers continues to crater and the Scarlet Knights can't at least be competitive against good teams, the fan base and the school administration might get fed up and seek a new voice in Piscataway.

USC enters this game with Trent Mosley and Jahkeem Stewart unable to play. The Trojans will need other players to step up in those position groups and elsewhere on the roster. Jayden Maiava was not 100-percent healthy against Louisiana. Lincoln Riley needs to make sure he gets out of this game with Maiava not suffering additional injuries before the Oregon game.

Follow along as we provide live updates and continuous analysis of USC-Rutgers in the Big Ten season opener:

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC vs Rutgers live updates: Score, highlights, predictions, analysis

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos