First Look: USC's 2023 Football Schedule Set For Lincoln Riley's Second Year

The schedule for USC's final season in the Pac-12 is set. The conference released its full 2023 schedule Wednesday, turning all eyes to the season ahead.

What's in store for head coach Lincoln Riley in his second year at the helm for the Trojans? Let's take a look.

WEEK 0

Who: San Jose State

When: Aug. 28

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

USC is one of seven teams playing a Week 0 game in 2023 and the only Pac-12 member to do so.
Originally, the Trojans were scheduled to play BYU during the last week of the regular season in 2023. Plans changed, however, once the Cougars announced their impending move to the Big 12, which is set to take place at the start of July. San José State became the Cougars' substitution and subsequently slated for Week 0.
SJSU will become USC's season-opening opponent for the second time in three years. The two teams last faced each other in 2021, where the Trojans won 30-7 at the Coliseum.
The Spartans finished with a 7-5 record in 2022 and ended their season with a 41-27 loss to Eastern Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. They are part of the Mountain West Conference.
USC is 5-0 all-time against SJSU. The Trojans' largest margin of victory against the Spartans came under head coach Pete Carroll, who defeated the team in 2009, 56-3.

WEEK 1

Who: Nevada

When: 9/2

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

This matchup was scheduled as part of the Coliseum's 100th anniversary celebration in 2023. USC played Nevada during its inaugural season in the historic venue.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the modern era of college football.
USC boasts an undefeated record against Nevada, as the two teams played five times in the 1920s.
The last matchup was in 1929 under Trojan head coach Howard Jones. USC won, 66-0.
Nevada is led by Ken Wilson, who is in his second year as head coach. He is familiar with the Wolf Pack, however, as has spent 19 years with the program. Wilson served as SJSU's defensive coordinator from 1996-1998 and then again in 2007.
The Wolf Pack are members of the Mountain West Conference and finished 2-10 last season.

WEEK 2

Who: Stanford

When: 9/9

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

USC's matchup against Stanford will open up Pac-12 play for the conference and mark the final matchup between the two rivals for the foreseeable future. The Cardinal is the Trojans' oldest rival.
The Cardinal were the first conference opponent for head coach Lincoln Riley in his inaugural season. It was a successful trip to Palo Alto for the Trojans in 2022, as they left with a 41-28 victory.
This will be the first time since 2011 that USC will face a Stanford team led by someone other than David Shaw. The former Cardinal head coach announced his resignation following Stanford's final game of the 2022 season.
The Cardinal are now led by Troy Taylor, Sacramento State's head coach from 2019-2022. Taylor has experience with the Pac-12 as well, as he served as Utah's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
USC holds the all-time record over Stanford with 64 wins, 34 losses and three ties.

WEEK 3

Who: BYE WEEK

When: 9/16

Initial Notes:

USC will be the first Pac-12 member to take a bye in 2023.
Due to the Trojans' schedule, which includes a Week 0 game, the team will get a second bye at the end of the regular season.
While USC might not be in the heart of the season where a Saturday off brings some much-needed rest, the bye could provide a time to regroup and self-scout prior to the long haul that will take place the rest of the year for the team.

WEEK 4

Who: Arizona State

When: 9/23

Where: Tempe, Az.

Initial Notes:

USC will head to Tempe for its first road game of the year.
Lincoln Riley has described conference road games as "gold," so it's safe to assume the Trojans will be geared up to play, especially coming off of a bye.
Just like their previous opponent, the Trojans will be facing a first-year head coach in Kenny Dillingham. This is the first head coaching position for the 32-year-old. He is the first Arizona native and Arizona State alumnus to be hired for the role by the university.
Dillingham previously served as the offensive coordinator for Oregon, Florida State, Auburn and Memphis.
The Sun Devils will have a new signal caller on the field, as former Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne transferred to ASU this offseason. Pyne finished 23 of 26 for 318 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for the Irish in the Trojans' regular season finale in 2022.
The matchup will mark inside linebacker Eric Gentry's first time returning to ASU, his school of origin prior to transferring to USC last summer.
The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 42-25 at home last season. USC holds the all-time lead over the Sun Devils with 25 wins and 14 losses.

WEEK 5

Who: Colorado

When: 9/30

Where: Boulder, Co.

Initial Notes:

Week 4 and 5 mark the only stretch of back-to-back away games for the Trojans in 2023.
This will be the third consecutive matchup for the Trojans against a new head coach. The Buffaloes are led by a sports figure who football fans are familiar with - Deion Sanders.
Colorado's ticket sales are reportedly doing very well thanks to "Prime Time," so it's a safe bet to assume that it will be a packed house when USC comes into town.
The Buffaloes' roster seems very much in flux at the moment, so it will be fascinating to see who exactly the Trojans will face come September.
USC defeated Colorado 55-17 in its last matchup and remains undefeated against the Buffaloes in their 16-game history.

WEEK 6

Who: Arizona

When: 10/6 or 10/7

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

This game could be slated for a Friday or Saturday matchup, which will be determined at a later day.
It will likely be an offensive showdown at the Coliseum, as two of the Pac-12's most powerful offenses will face off.
Arizona returns quarterback Jayden de Laura who will be entering his junior season. His sophomore season was his first with the Wildcats and he finished with a 62.5% completion percentage with 3,685 yards, 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Three of USC's 2023 transfer signees, wide receiver Dorian Singer, defensive lineman Kyon Barrs and cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace, will face their former team.
The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 45-37 on the road last season.
USC has controlled the win column against Arizona over the last 100-plus years with a 36-8 all-time record.

WEEK 7

Who: Notre Dame

When: 10/14

Where: South Bend, In.

Initial Notes:

Ideally, USC could face Arizona on Friday the week prior to give the program one extra day of preparation before traveling across the country to Indiana.
The matchup marks Lincoln Riley's first trip to South Bend and just the second time he will face Notre Dame in his coaching career.
Wake Forest transfer quarterback Sam Hartman will look to revitalize an Irish offense that couldn't quite get its footing in 2022.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is in his second year at the helm, as he was promoted from defensive coordinator in 2021 following Brian Kelly's departure.
USC played arguably its most complete game last year against Notre Dame in 2022. The Trojans closed out their regular season with a 38-27 win over the Irish.
Notre Dame holds the all-time lead in the series with 50 wins, 37 losses and five ties.

WEEK 8

Who: Utah

When: 10/21

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

Week 8 presents a matchup that will be fresh in every Trojans' mind no matter how much time has passed. USC will get a chance to avenge its two losses in 2022 to Utah in the penultimate game of October.
It will mark the first time in three matchups where the Trojans will play against the Utes in their home stadium.
Utah's offense will once again be led by quarterback Cam Rising, who announced his return for his senior season. The signal caller is a dual threat with a powerful arm, who resembles a running back when he decides to tuck the ball and run.
The Utes' 2021 win at the Coliseum snapped a home-winning streak for USC and marked the first time that Utah had won in Los Angeles since 1916.
USC holds the all-time lead in the series with 13 wins and 9 losses.

WEEK 9

Who: Cal

When: 10/28

Where: Berkeley, Ca.

Initial Notes:

It will come somewhat full circle during Week 9, as USC's game at Cal in 2021 was the first game that Lincoln Riley & Co. watched of their future team.
Head coach Justin Wilcox is known for his defensive mind, but has been searching for the answer to the Bears' offensive woes. He fired his offensive coordinator at the end of last season and hired Texas State head coach Jake Spavital in hopes to reinvigorate the role.
Cal has taken a hit depth-wise at the quarterback position, but gained a new face this offseason in TCU transfer Sam Jackson.
USC defeated the Bears 41-35 last season and currently leads the all-time series. The Trojans claim 71 wins, 32 losses and four ties in its history with Cal.

WEEK 10

Who: Washington

When: 11/4

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

USC will host Washington at the Coliseum for the first time since 2015. It will also mark the first matchup between the two teams since 2019.
The game could be a showdown between two of college football's top quarterbacks. Washington's Michael Penix Jr. returns for his senior year in 2023 after a junior season that garnered national attention. Many argued for Penix to be the Pac-12's second representative in New York last season as a 2022 Heisman finalist.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer led his Huskies to an 11-2 record in his first season, earning him Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year honors.
Washington continued to improve as the season progressed and ultimately finished on a high note with a win in the Alamo Bowl over Texas.
The Huskies bested the Trojans during their last matchup with a 28-14 win in Seattle.
USC has the edge in the series however, with 51 wins, 29 losses and four ties over Washington.

WEEK 11

Who: Oregon

When: 11/11

Where: Eugene, Or.

Initial Notes:

USC will face a new-look Oregon team that is led by head coach Dan Lanning. He previously served as Georgia's defensive coordinator during its championship season in 2021.
The Ducks posted a 10-3 record in Lanning's inaugural season and finished the season with a Holiday Bowl win over North Carolina.
The Trojans will travel to Eugene for the first time since 2015 and face the Ducks for the first time since 2020, where the two teams met for the Pac-12 Championship Game during the shortened season.
USC will have to pack its cold weather gear, as temperatures will likely be low during the game.
Oregon's offense is led by quarterback Bo Nix, who transferred from Auburn in 2022. The signal caller posted his best collegiate season during his junior year with the Ducks and is looking to improve in 2023.
The Ducks represent the final conference opponent (outside of UCLA) and the final road game for the Trojans as a member of the Pac-12.
USC leads the overall series between Oregon with 38 wins, 22 losses, and 2 ties.

WEEK 12

Who: UCLA

When: 11/18

Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Initial Notes:

USC closes out its regular season with a Crosstown Showdown between rival UCLA at the Coliseum.
It will be the last hoorah of sorts for both programs, who are set to move to the Big Ten conference next season.
Something to watch for: The Bruins will have a new identity on offense as five-year starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has moved on to the next level. UCLA's veteran running back Zach Charbonnet is also off to the NFL.
USC won a thrilling matchup in the Rose Bowl last season, defeating the Bruins 48-45.
The Trojans lead the all-time series against the Bruins with 50 wins, 33 losses and 7 ties.

WEEK 13

Who: BYE WEEK

When: 11/25

Initial Notes:

USC's second bye of the season will likely be much needed following the team's grueling nine-game stretch.
The Trojans are the only Pac-12 team with a bye in Week 13.
In an ideal world for Trojan fans, the bye will also serve as extra preparation time for the Pac-12 Championship Game, which is scheduled for the following week.
The last time USC had a bye during the final week of the regular season, the team went on to defeat Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game in 2017.
Trojan fans won't face a possible scheduling conflict with their Thanksgiving plans, as USC won't play during the holiday weekend.
The majority of the conference will be playing in rivalry games that weekend, so there will be games to keep an eye on. This is especially true in light of last year's Oregon versus Oregon State matchup which ultimately determined USC's opponent in the conference title game.

USC season ticket renewals for the 2023 season begin today (Jan. 18). All 2022 season ticket holders will receive an e-mail to their address on file about renewing their tickets. Season ticket deposits are being taken now here. The deadline to renew tickets is March 3.

Players Mentioned

Eric Gentry