USC Trojans Face Missouri State Bears Season Opener in Los Angeles

The USC Trojans open their 2025 college football season hosting the Missouri State Bears, a Football Championship Subdivision newcomer to the FBS, in a game that marks the first meeting between the two programs. USC, led by coach Lincoln Riley and quarterback Jayden Maiava, is heavily favored and aims to start strong after a less-than-ideal 2024 season, focusing on capitalizing in the red zone and leveraging star receivers like Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon. Despite missing several defensive players due to injuries, the Trojans rely on a leadership group of single-game captains for motivation and consistency. Missouri State, coached by Ryan Beard, will seek to use this matchup as a platform to showcase their rising program and compete against a storied team. Statistical insights highlight the Bears' strong passing efficiency and the Trojans' high number of offensive targets, underscoring the offensive strengths of both teams. The game is set at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and will be broadcast nationally, emphasizing the significance of the season opener for both teams' trajectories.