USC About Face (or is it Saving Face?)

Only three FBS football teams have never squared off against an FCS program – Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC.  That number was in danger of dropping to two when less than a year ago, the Trojans announced that they were going to host UC-Davis in September of 2021.  Just last week though, USC AD Mike Bohn announced that he was going to listen to his donors and the fans of the team and cancel the agreed upon meeting.  A day later, the Trojans announced that they would play San Jose State instead.  It’s not a step up in competition, but more about listening to your fans and keeping an important streak in their eyes alive.  I do feel bad for the Aggies team and their fans, because it would have been a tremendous opportunity for them to play in the historic LA Coliseum, but I am in agreement with this decision.  Besides, don’t let your main rivals, the Bruins and the Irish, have the bragging rights over you of never having played an FCS school!

What’s funny is that San Jose State and their fans are the biggest winners in this situation.  They got paid almost $2 million from Georgia, who canceled their contract with the Spartans to meet Clemson, and they will collect another $1 million from the Trojans.  In addition they will be saving money for not having to travel cross-country and they will be in an area that they recruit…