Why USC will play first-ever FCS opponent in 2021
Another tradition bites the dust.
USC on Friday announced three future home games -- UC Davis in 2021, Nevada in 2023 and San Jose State in 2024. The first of those three games will end a program-long streak of never playing an FCS opponent.
The Trojans, of course, have long been one of only three schools (UCLA, Notre Dame) to carry that distinction. An FCS game has been in the works for a few months, however, with USC examining ways to amend its rigorous scheduling habits.
Because of the nine-game Pac-12 slate and an annual date with Notre Dame, the Trojans are forced to play five road games minimum every season. Their initiative moving forward is to buy more home games against lesser opponents outside the conference, which are known in some circles as "revenue games."
“We’re going to look for more games that we don’t have to return,” USC Senior Associate Athletic Director Steve Lopes told TrojanSports last fall, while noting the market of teams residing west of the Rockies that are willing to come to the Coliseum for a one-off affair is fairly shallow. "We want seven home games. If you look around the conferences, they play eight home games. Alabama wouldn’t be caught playing six home games for anything.”
But Alabama would play UC Davis. And now, apparently, so will USC. Did the Trojans absolutely have to dip into the FCS pool to design a more favorable schedule? No. Does it ultimately matter? Probably not. But it makes for a fun Friday news dump.
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MORE SCHEDULE TIDBITS
--USC will host UC Davis on Sept. 4, 2021, Nevada on Sept. 2, 2023 and San Jose State on Sept. 7, 2024.
--The additions give the Trojans seven home games in 2021 and 2023, as well as currently 6 home games in 2024 with a game left to schedule. USC also has seven home games in 2022.
--The two home games in USC’s upcoming three-game series with BYU will be played in late November (Nov. 27, 2021 and Nov. 25, 2023), allowing the Trojans to have a mid-season bye in those seasons.
--The Trojans play three non-conference games annually, including their long-standing yearly series against Notre Dame that currently runs through 2026. USC's previously announced other upcoming non-league games include BYU in 2019 (away), 2021 (home) and 2023 (home) and Alabama in 2020 at Arlington, Tex., plus home games versus Fresno State (2019, 2022, 2025), New Mexico (2020) and Rice (2022).
--USC also is in talks to add a neutral site non-conference game against a Power 5 opponent in 2024 and 2028, years that it currently has six home games scheduled.
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