One crazy byproduct of all this conference realignment is the way college athletic dept.’s have convinced fans that making money is all that matters. You can’t compete unless you are in a conference that makes more money, according to the spin. Think about it from USC’s perspective: It has an endowment of more than $8 billion. But $15-20 million more for the athletic dept. is … Continue reading USC Notes: Making Money Is All That Matters

USC’s 6 a.m. practices the next two days have been moved to the afternoon. The good part: Players get to sleep. The bad part: It will be a lot hotter. As the Pac-12 implodes, here is another thing to second guess: Since 2013, USC and Oregon have played each other just four times. The two best-known programs. The marquee teams. The showcase game of all … Continue reading Morning Buzz: USC-Oregon Might Actually Start Playing Each Other

There is a Board of Regents meeting in Arizona scheduled for tomorrow night and some are speculating the University of Arizona and Arizona State could be leaving for the Big 12. By Friday. Arizona State has previously been considered loyal to the Pac-12 but Sun Devils A.D. Ray Anderson changed his tune today. “I remain extremely hopeful and understand personally no matter how it ends … Continue reading Pac-12 Is Falling Apart Update

USC is selling tickets to the Salute to Troy football kickoff dinner. It’s $90 a ticket for the public, $80 if you are a member of the Trojan Athletic Fund. There were complaints about the food last year. Let’s see if it improves. Like I said previously, the tough part is the event is going to be on a Friday (Aug. 18) and starts at … Continue reading You Can Go To Salute To Troy For $90

The Big Ten is considering expanding from 2-4 teams, potentially adding Oregon, Washington, Cal and Stanford. The Big Ten does not want to expand unless there is more movement with the Big 12 and Pac-12 first because it doesn’t want to be viewed as destroying the Pac-12. Statement from Big Ten: “The Big Ten Conference is still focused on integration of USC and UCLA but … Continue reading USC Notes: Defensive Injuries To Start Camp

USC and UCLA officially join the Big Ten one year from today. It’s going to be quite a first year for the Trojans, with non-conference games against LSU and Notre Dame plus road trips to Maryland, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA. The home games are Illinois, Iowa Michigan, Wisconsin. A Pac-12 coach recently told me he doesn’t think Lincoln Riley will enjoy it. “I suspect … Continue reading USC Morning Buzz: Lincoln Riley Is 365 Days from Big Ten Move