USC’s bizarre scheduling history with San Jose State continues — and more

On Wednesday, USC announced that the Trojans will open their 2026 football season against San Jose State. The Spartans are set to visit the Coliseum on August 29.

Following the news, Antonio Morales of The Athleticwrote on social media, “In times of great schedule distress, San Jose State is always there for USC.” Morales’s tweet recalls an interesting dynamic: On three separate occasions within the past six years, bizarre circumstances have led to the Trojans and Spartans playing.

In 2021, USC scheduled FCS program UC Davis, only to cancel the game following significant fan backlash. The Trojans replaced them on the schedule with San Jose State.

In 2023, USC was slated to play BYU in a nonconference game. With the Cougars joining the Big 12, the Trojans suddenly needed a new opponent. Once again, they replaced them with San Jose State.

Then, this year, the storied USC-Notre Dame rivalry sadly came to an end. The Trojans replaced the Fighting Irish with, you guessed it, San Jose State.

At this point, the dynamic between the two schools is somewhat comical. When the Trojans are desperate for a game, they call up San Jose State, who is happy to collect USC’s check in exchange for a trip to Los Angeles.

At this point, San Jose State fans must be getting quite familiar with LA hotels. If the current pattern holds, the Trojans will be forced to cancel another game in 2030 and will once again call up their friends in San Jose.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football has bizarre scheduling history with San Jose State

Fortuna Düsseldorf will welcome VfL Bochum to the Rheinstadion for the upcoming 2. Bundesliga fixture on Matchday 24.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 local time on February 27, 2026, with Luise Kropff reporting live.

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership trip to play Motherwell on Saturday.

Here are the main points:

• Goodwin admits "we will probably be underdogs in a lot of people's eyes" against a Motherwell side who have had a "remarkable" season, but United "believe we are capable of beating any opposition on any given day".
• Goodwin says his defenders can take confidence from the midweek 0-0 draw with Aberdeen, which was just their fourth clean sheet in the league this season.
• He added that "concentration levels are going to be key" against a very good attacking team and a striker, Tawanda Maswanhise, who is "having the season of his career".
• United are seventh in the table, nine points behind Falkirk in sixth, but Goodwin insists "we certainly won't give up the fight" of getting into the top half, adding "we have just got to keep believing".
• Amid what has been an ultra-competitive top division this term, Goodwin believes "'it has been a tough tough league for everybody" and he doesn't believe "there is a team at the top of the table that looks forward to playing any of the fixtures at this moment in time".
• Immersed in a hectic schedule Goodwin admits "there is a bit of fatigue and a few bumps and bruises within the squad".
• And with three games in a week coming up the United boss stresses "we have a few decisions to make tomorrow with regards to the starting 11".
• Goodwin was again asked about the condition of the much-maligned Tannadice pitch and is disappointed it "has become this talking point".
• He adds no blame is being pointed at anyone and stresses it is not down to a lack of investment in the pitch but due to things outwith United's control - namely the horrendous weather combined with a busy schedule of fixtures.

Atletico Madrid have emerged as admirers of 2005-born Serbian talent Aleksandar Stankovic, but the Spanish giants face an uphill battle to secure his signature. Inter Milan retains a buy-back option exercisable this summer or in 2027, giving the Nerazzurri firm control over his future.

Despite the competition, reports suggest Inter are ready to trigger the clause to bring the midfielder back to Milan. Stankovic, currently valued between €35-40 million, has flourished at Club Brugge and is attracting interest from top European clubs.

George Pickens’ time with the Dallas Cowboys is set to continue.

The Cowboys will place the franchise tag on the star receiver, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported.

The tag can be applied between Feb. 17 and March 3, and would give Pickens $28 million guaranteed next season, per Over the Cap. By placing the tag, the Cowboys will have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal.

Pickens is coming off the best season of his career after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers last off-season, posting highs of 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns en route to being named to his first Pro Bowl.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL scouting combine, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones made it clear that the goal is to keep the wideout long-term.

“We want Pickens here,” Jones said. “We think the world of him. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that’s a plus.”