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USC's Epic Journey: Trojans Face Rutgers 3,000 Miles Away
16 Sep
Summary
- USC travels across the country for its first road game of 2026.
- The trip to Rutgers is the longest conference journey for USC.
- Oddsmakers favor USC by 23.5 points despite the extensive travel.
The USC Trojans, ranked No. 12, are set to begin conference play on September 20, 2026, with an away game against Rutgers. This road trip marks USC's initial venture outside Los Angeles in 2026 and represents the furthest Big Ten destination for the team. Coach Lincoln Riley has detailed plans to manage the significant travel impact, including an earlier departure on September 18, 2026, to help the team adjust to the long flight and time difference.
USC's journey to New Jersey involves a flight exceeding five hours, making it their longest conference travel to date. While Rutgers' offense features receiver KJ Duff, quarterback consistency has been a concern for the Scarlet Knights. They enter the game with a 0-2 record, coming off an extended week after a Friday night game. Oddsmakers from FanDuel Sportsbook list USC as a 23.5-point favorite, with DraftKings projecting USC to score over 40 points.
