The Trojans open the 2025 season against Missouri State

USC announced Wednesday that it will open the 2025 season against Missouri State. Although Missouri State is currently part of the Missouri Valley Conference and competes in the FCS, the program is making the jump to the FBS and will compete in Conference USA for the 2025-26 sports season.

The Trojans will remain the only FBS team that has never played an FCS opponent. The story dates back to 1978, when Division I split into IA (FBS) and I-AA (FCS).

The first-ever meeting between USC and Missouri State will take place on August 30, 2025 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

USC has a 99-24-8 all-time record in season openers. Along the way, the Trojans have earned 36 shutout victories in those games. They actually have a slightly better win percentage in their season openers at home, where they are 70-16-7 in those contests.

However, this season USC started at a neutral site. The Trojans made a statement at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, defeating then-No. 13 LSU, 27-20. Head coach Lincoln Riley's team is off to a 3-1 start, with its only loss coming against current No. 10 Michigan at The Big House.

The success of the quarterback Miller Moss softened the blow of the lost superstar Caleb Williams — the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — to the next level. Additionally, D'Anton Lynn arrived from UCLA to revamp the USC defense, and to say his presence was felt would be an understatement.

USC is seeking a bid for the College Football Playoff in 2024.

The Trojans will then begin the 2025 campaign against Missouri State, which will be brand new for the FBS and Conference USA. To round out non-conference play next season, Riley's USC is also scheduled to play Georgia Southern at home on September 6th and Notre Dame on the road on October 18th. As for Big Ten play, the Trojans face Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern and UCLA at home, and on the road they play Illinois, Nebraska, Oregon and Purdue.