On June 30, 2022, the USC Trojans, along with the UCLA Bruins, announced they were leaving for the B1G Conference beginning in Summer 2024. The Trojans had long grumbled to the powers in the Pac-12 that they deserved a larger slice of the pie instead of the conference’s equal distribution policy. As the lone historical blue-blood in the Pac-12, the Trojans despised accepting equal terms with their 11 colleagues, as they viewed themselves as the crown jewel of the conference.
So, when they did not get their larger share (which they never really tried — more on that later) they decided they would bolt to the B1G where, in their mind, they could sit at the “grownups” table with fellow historical blue-bloods Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State.
Yes, USC has the history. They have the National Championships, the most Heisman Trophy winners, and the limelight (i.e. television sets of Los Angeles). But, in our “What have you done for me lately?” world, such as the past 15 years, USC has been the model of underachievement, while Oregon has become the top West Coast football program.
It drives USC crazy.
In the eyes of the Trojans, moving to the B1G and losing against fellow historical blue-bloods is tolerable, but losing to Oregon has always been “beneath” them.
The Trojans could have leveraged (strong-armed) the Pac-12 into giving them a disproportionate share of money, and the Pac-12 would have had to give in, as there would have been no choice. And, you know what, they should have. Oregon fans would have hated it, but welcome to modern-day college football. Let us be real; tiered distribution is coming, and the Trojans could have been the leader in that.
But, I believe it was more than just about money for USC. Other motives were at play.
Lincoln Riley, back in his fun-loving Oklahoma days, before he lost his “innocence” at USC. (Photo credit X)
USC also saw the move as a) An ego stroke by rubbing elbows with Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan, and b) A way to take care of their Oregon problem as USC would have gained a tremendous recruiting/transfer portal/NIL advantage over Oregon which would have made them the preeminent program on the west coast with no challengers.
‘Twas not to be.
Think back to 2022. USC had just hired away Lincoln Riley from historical blue-blood Oklahoma, and it is safe to say by this time the jump to the B1G had been decided. In fact, they probably even used it, secretly, as a selling point to Riley. “You’ll be in one of the Top 2 mega conferences in the country and you will own the West Coast. It’s all yours, good buddy.”
You could just see Riley envisioning more natty trophies lining Heritage Hall.
But, not so fast.
When you think about it, in a way, USC haters have Deion Sanders to thank for driving home the final stake in the coffin of the Pac-12. He desired to get the Buffaloes back into the Big 12 and that spear-headed the four-corner schools to accept the Big 12’s invitations. While that killed off the Pac-12, it also massively decimated USC’s desire to be the lone “cool kid” (UCLA doesn’t count) promoted to the country club conference.
It was never all about money for the Trojans, but also a strategic competitive move and a stroking of their massive ego. I wish I could have been in the room when the leadership at USC found out that the Ducks would be “tagging” along. Sure, at much less money for several years, but money was never the ultimate goal. The goal was about leaving the Ducks behind and eliminating all Pacific and Mountain time zone competition.
And just as they have lost on the field this year, 3-4 (1-4 in B1G), they have also lost massively off the field.
While the Oregon Ducks are 7-0 (4-0), in first place in the B1G, and, oh yeah, ranked No. 1 in the country.
Fall on your sword, Tommy Trojan!
Oh wait, that would require dignity, honor, and courage… never mind.
Darren Perkins
Spokane, WA
Top photo credit: Craig Strobeck
Natalie Liebhaber, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, works in technology in SLC, Utah.
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Darren Perkins is a sales professional and 1997 Oregon graduate. After finishing school, he escaped the rain and moved to sunny Southern California where he studied screenwriting for two years at UCLA. Darren grew up in Eugene and in 1980, at the tender age of five, he attended his first Oregon football game. His lasting memory from that experience was an enthusiastic Don Essig announcing to the crowd: “Reggie Ogburn, completes a pass to… Reggie Ogburn.” Captivated by such a thrilling play, Darren’s been hooked on Oregon football ever since. Currently living in Spokane, Darren enjoys flaunting his yellow and green superiority complex over friends and family in Cougar country.