2025 USC Trojans Football Schedule & What to Watch For

The Season at a Glance

USC's 2025 schedule promises a compelling mix of non-conference tune-ups and high-stakes Big Ten battles—highlighted by historic rivalry matchups that every Trojan fan should mark. Lots of TBD on the timing of each game as the networks love to play out the season performances and pick the best slots for those performing at a high level.

• Aug 30 (Sat) vs Missouri State – Home opener at the Coliseum, 4:30 p.m. PT USC Athletics+1

• Sept 6 (Sat) vs Georgia Southern – Home, 4:30 p.m. PT USC Athletics+1

• Sept 13 (Sat) at Purdue – Road game in West Lafayette, noon PT (3:30 ET) USC AthleticsESPN.com

• Sept 20 (Sat) vs Michigan State – Home, time TBD USC Athletics+1

• Sept 27 (Sat) at Illinois – Away in Champaign, time TBD USC Athletics+1

• Oct 11 (Sat) vs Michigan – Home, time TBD USC Athletics+1

• Oct 18 (Sat) at Notre Dame – Classic rivalry in South Bend, 4:30 p.m. PT USC Athletics+1Wikipedia

• Nov 1 (Sat) at Nebraska – Away in Lincoln, time TBD USC Athletics+1

• Nov 7 (Fri) vs Northwestern – Home night game, 6 p.m. USC Athletics+1

• Nov 15 (Sat) vs Iowa – Home, kickoff around noon or 12:30 p.m. PT USC Athletics+1

• Nov 22 (Sat) at Oregon – Road contest at Autzen Stadium, time TBD USC AthleticsWikipedia

• Nov 29 (Sat) vs UCLA (Victory Bell) – Season finale at home, time TBD USC Athletics+1Wikipedia
  

Highlights & Storylines to Watch

1. Season Kickoff & Tune-UpsUSC opens the season with two home games against Missouri State (FCS-to-FBS newcomer) and Georgia Southern (led by former USC coach Clay Helton) Los Angeles ColiseumUSC Athletics+1. These are critical for establishing rhythm and early confidence.

2. Big Ten Baptism BlockSeptember ushers in a stretch of demanding Big Ten road games at Purdue and Illinois, bookended by a showdown with Michigan State at home USC Athletics+1. The two consecutive away tilts will test USC’s early-season mettle.

3. Rivalry Intensity

• Notre Dame (Oct 18) in South Bend holds deep historical significance Wikipedia.

• UCLA (Nov 29), covering the storied Victory Bell, wraps the season with crosstown pride on the line Wikipedia.

4. Defensive Showdowns & Seasons’ Turning PointsKey matchups against Michigan (Oct 11) and Oregon (Nov 22) loom large, both on home turf and away, shaping potential division outcomes USC Athletics+1Wikipedia.

5. Friday Night Lights at the ColiseumThe Nov 7 Northwestern game is the only Friday night home game—an opportunity for primetime exposure and a pivotal momentum builder USC Athletics+1.

Brief Summary Table

Final Thoughts

The 2025 USC football slate is built around a compelling blend of early-season tune-ups and mid- to late-season intensity—from rivalry classics to arguably the toughest stretch of Big Ten challenges. How USC answers on the road, particularly in September, may define their title aspirations.

Let me know if you'd like a breakdown by opponent, TV networks for TBD games, or insights into which matchups could determine their postseason fate!