Week 3 · College Football

USC vs Rutgers prediction

The TailgateNinjas model gives USC a 86% chance to beat Rutgers in this College Football matchup. Updated August 29, 2026.

#8 Big Ten Conference

USC

31% to make the 12

@

#79 Big Ten Conference

Rutgers

3% to make the 12

The model's read

SpreadUSC −16.5Model
Projected scoreUSC 34 — Rutgers 18

USC should handle it: 16.5-point edge, 86% to win.

Chaos meter28 · LEAN
28/ 100
CalmMayhem

USC

86%

to win

Rutgers

14%

to win

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Tale of the tape

2025 efficiency · ranks
USC
vs
Rutgers
#4Offense · EPA/play#36
#65Defense · EPA/play#134
#21Explosiveness#81
#8Success rate#26
37%Returning production67%

National ranks from last season (1 = best). The 2026 outlook builds on this.

Series history

1 meeting all-time

USC leads 1–0

Last met 2024 · USC 42–20 Rutgers— USC won

Both sidelines

via Google News

What USC is hearing

What Rutgers is hearing

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