Three Looming Trap Games On the USC Trojans' Schedule

While the Trojans are expected to face a challenging Big Ten schedule in 2026 that features pivotal matchups both at and away from the Coliseum, some games that fans may overlook could cause the team to slip up if they aren’t careful. Here are three potential trap games looming on the Trojans 2026 schedule.

vs Washington (Oct. 3)

Despite hosting Washington at the Coliseum this season, the Huskies have always been a tough team for the Trojans to beat. The two former Pac-12 rivals have had some iconic moments throughout their series history, and the 2026 matchup is likely to give fans another exciting game. 

The Huskies are set to return starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who last season for Washington threw for 3,065 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The Huskies have won three straight games over the Trojans dating back to 2019 and look to make it four in a row on Oct. 3.

USC is scheduled to play Washington a week after their high-stakes Big Ten opener against quarterback Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks at the Coliseum, another rival the Trojans have struggled to beat recently.    

at Wisconsin (Oct. 24) 

Wisconsin didn’t have the brightest season in 2025, finishing with a 4-8 record and 2-7 in the Big Ten. Despite one of their worst seasons in recent memory, the Badgers opted to retain Luke Fickell.

Regardless of their recent struggles, Camp Randall has always been and still is a tough place for opposing teams to play. There’s nothing more intimidating than for an opposing team at Camp Randall trailing entering the fourth quarter and “Jump Around” plays. Just ask the Washington Huskies and Illinois Fighting Illini, two ranked Big Ten teams that fell to the Badgers last season.

The Trojans aim to avoid that fate when they face the Badgers on Oct. 24 after what could be their bye week or a matchup against their third yet-to-be announced non-conference opponent for the 2026 season.   

at UCLA (Nov. 28)   

In what could be the final rivalry matchup between the UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl, new head coach Bob Chesney’s group will look to make a statement in year one with a crosstown rivalry win. 

Chesney arrives at UCLA from James Madison, looking to revitalize the Bruins program the same way that his Dukes predecessor, Curt Cignetti, did with the Indiana Hoosiers. Chesney is making some hefty promises to the Bruins fanbase in year one, going so far as saying that UCLA will win the Big Ten. 

With Chesney's great coaching reputation, the Bruins have a chance to be the most improved team in the conference next season as they are set to return starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Upsetting the Trojans would be a signature win for the Bruins, as next year’s crosstown rivalry game has the potential to be an exciting matchup.