USC faces fan apathy despite 42-26 victory over San Jose State

USC opened its season on Saturday with a 42-26 win over San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Despite the victory and preseason expectations for the team, the announced attendance of 51,144 featured large swaths of empty seats. Observers noted that while temperatures in Los Angeles reached the mid-90s, the visual absence of fans points to deeper challenges regarding the program's ability to maintain local interest. Coach Lincoln Riley faces pressure to deliver consistent results after four seasons of failing to meet internal expectations. The university recently invested in a $200 million football facility and secured a top-ranked recruiting class, yet the team remains tasked with earning sustained support in a competitive regional sports market. USC will look to demonstrate its status as a premier program when it hosts Oregon on September 26.

• 6:20 PMCBS Sports — USC's empty seats show fans still haven't bought in on Lincoln Riley's hype for 2026