The Fresno State Bulldogs and USC Trojans play on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, in a game on the college football Week 1 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 1 game?
Check out these college football Week 1 picks and college football Week 1 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 6 p.m. MST on FOX (stream with FUBO).
USC is a 23.5-point favorite over Fresno State in college football Week 1 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Trojans are -2500 on the moneyline, while the Bulldogs are +1400. The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 51.5 points.
Watch USC vs Fresno State on FUBO (free trial)
Sporting News: USC 42, Fresno State 17
Bill Bender writes: "Fresno State will be a trendy pick to cover
here — but the Trojans were a different defense in the first half in the opener. The offense remains tough to stop, and the Bulldogs must find ways to disrupt Jayden Maiava — who had a 191.8 passer rating in the opener. How much can Maryland transfer quarterback Khristian Martin match that?"
Bookies.com: Bet Fresno State with the points vs USC
Bill Speros writes: "The Fox Friday Night Big Ten Schedule begins with USC playing its second game in a six-day span – all before Labor Day. USC's starters demolished San Jose State Saturday. Lincoln Riley's team is ready for its Big Ten run. This year’s team has it all: coaching acumen, a stout defensive front, and an offense with rizz. Yes, rizz. Fresno State moves to the Pac-12 this season, and the Bulldogs are aiming for a Group of Five playoff spot. If you’re looking for a Group of Give Week 1 Power Four upset, this one may be it. Also, USC went 5-8 ATS last season and failed to cover Saturday."
Big 12 football Week 1 picks: Colorado vs Georgia Tech | Idaho vs Utah | Oregon State vs Houston | Coastal Carolina vs West Virginia | Baylor vs Auburn | Boston College vs Cincinnati | Oklahoma State vs Tulsa | Abilene Christian vs Texas Tech | Utah Tech vs BYU | NAU vs Arizona | Morgan State vs Arizona State | Score predictions | TV channels | Betting
Dimers.com: USC 36, Fresno State 14
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Fresno State a win probability of 7%, while Southern California has a win probability of 93%."
ESPN: USC has an 88.2% chance to defeat Fresno State on Friday
The site gives the Bulldogs an 11.8% shot at winning the college football Week 1 game.
Sports Betting Dime: USC 25.5, Fresno State 22.7
The site's formula predicts that the Trojans will beat the Bulldogs in the Week 1 college football game.
College Football News: USC 38, Fresno State 15
Pete Fiutak writes: "USC didn’t go full bore for all 60 minutes against San Jose State, but don’t take anything out of that. The offense was fantastic when it needed to be. The secondary, though, allowed way too many big plays and, overall, the legs didn’t appear to be there in the fourth quarter. Fresno State won’t be any sort of a pushover, it’ll look the part, but Maiava and the offense will keep on pressing this week."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: USC vs Fresno State picks, predictions, odds for Week 1 game Friday
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