USC football ripped for pathetic crowd at home opener: 'Absolutely embarrassing'

College football is BACK. Can you feel it? It's in the air!

We've waited months for today. We put our heads down all winter and spring. We suffered through the insufferable summer weather. We made it through the awful WNBA drama.

We waited for today — for this moment. Week Zero. The unofficial start of the college football season. It's the best Saturday of the year ...

ONE OF THESE EIGHT COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS WILL BE HOISTING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY IN 2026

Unless you're in Los Angeles.

USC, the No. 14 team in the country, opened up their 2026 season this afternoon at home against San Jose State. The Trojans, of course, dominated.

They went into the half up 28-0, and took a 35-3 lead into the fourth quarter. It was always going to be a blowout, and it was.

And, apparently, fans got that memo well before kickoff:

Lordy. What a scene!

Look, I get it. It's Los Angeles. We're not talking about SEC country here. It ain't exactly the college football capital of the world.

It was also San Jose State. Not exactly a juggernaut.

Yes, I know it was ... "hot." And by that, I mean 92 degrees. Sure. Whatever you say!

That being said, it's a tough look for a program that, in theory, is supposed to be competing for a national title in a few months.

I don't know what the official attendance was — and I'm not certain USC is gonna be eager to provide that information — but those are some bad optics.

Bad optics.

This is a program that produced Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. Carson Palmer and Caleb Williams. Junior Seau. Troy Polamalu. Ronnie Lott. Marcus Allen.

Yes, O.J. Simpson.

NOTRE DAME CAVES, LIVES UP TO MARCUS FREEMAN'S PROMISE AS USC RIVALRY GAME IS OFFICIALLY BACK

USC was the team during my childhood. For about a decade, the Trojans were must-see TV. Sure, they're not the powerhouse they were 15 years ago, but this is still the No. 14 team in the country! This was the home opener.

After eight long months, football was finally BACK at the Coliseum ...

And nobody showed up.

Brutal.