USC vs. San Jose State score prediction by college football computer model

What to expect when USC and San Jose State meet in Week 0 action to open up the 2023 college football season

Author:
James Parks
Publish date:
Aug 26, 2023 8:25 AM EDT

We have an entertaining primetime matchup on tap to open the 2023 college football season as Pac-12 and playoff hopeful USC kicks things off at home against San Jose State in Week 0 action.

Heisman quarterback Caleb Williams returns at the helm of what has the potential to be the nation's most prolific offense, but all eyes are on the Trojan defense, a maladroit unit that cost the team a Pac-12 title and CFP spot last year.

San Jose State comes to L.A. behind an offense that has some playmakers of its own, namely quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, an able passer who last season threw for career-highs with 3,251 yards and 23 touchdowns, both tops in the Mountain West, also ran for a career-best nine touchdowns. He spearheads an offense protected by a veteran, competent line that rarely turns the ball over.

What can we expect when things kick off? Let's check in on how the SP+ prediction model devised by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly projects the matchup, along with the latest betting information for the Week 0 game.

USC vs. San Jose State game picks, predictions

USC vs. San Jose State score prediction: The SP+ model projects that USC will defeat San Jose State by a score of 46 to 12 with a projected margin of 34.5 points and boasts a win probability of 98 percent outright.

Point spread: The lines at SI Sportsbook list USC as the comfortable 30.5 point favorites to beat San Jose State and set the total at 66.5 points for the matchup.

FPI prediction: USC has the convincing 96.4 percent to win the game, according to the Football Power Index model that picks winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

Place your bets: USC vs. San Jose State on SI Sportsbook

College Football HQ prediction: Our projections indicate that USC will defeat San Jose State by a score of 48 to 21, failing to cover the spread, and hitting the over.

How to watch, stream: The game is set for Sat., Aug. 26 at 5 p.m. Pacific time on the Pac-12 Network and streams live on fuboTV (Try for free).

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