The Trojans have quite a few neighbors in the state of California with which they share history going back to the early 20th century. But their greatest rivals can be found all the way to the Midwest. Together they form arguably the greatest rivalry in all of college football.
5 of the USC Trojan’s most fierce football rivalries:
Notre Dame
With all the titles (11 national championships each), great alumni (7 Heisman Trophy winners each) and classic games (“The Comeback”) of these two legendary college football programs, it’s not hard to see why USC-Notre Dame is often hailed as the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. The peak of the rivalry was arguably during the 60s through the early 80s, when the two schools combined for eight national championships. Although their contests now are rarely for such honors, the game’s scope and popularity on a national level is still as high as ever.
California
The Cal-USC rivalry, which began way back in 1915, is not so much a battle of worthy adversaries as it is an older brother just constantly pounding a younger brother into submission. USC limited Cal to a combined six points in their 2008-09 meetings, and held a 42-0 halftime lead in 2010. The Trojans have beaten their interstate rivals 65 times in their 97 year history, including the past 9 meetings.
Stanford
USC’s oldest rival dating back to 1905, Stanford had been in decline until the arrival of Jim Harbaugh in 2007. In 2009, Stanford handed USC Trojans Football its worst defeat in 43 years, a 55-21 thrashing which Pete Carroll took issue with post-game. Even after Harbaugh left for the NFL, the Trojans have not quite shaken off the Cardinal curse, going just 1-5 in their last 6 meetings, losing the last 4 in a row.
UCLA
Due to the proximity of the two schools only 16 km apart (which leads itself to more than a few pranks between schools), bragging rights is very much a real thing up for grabs during USC-UCLA games. “The Crosstown Showdown” has had some titanic battles, usually with a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line. However, when the schools were 1-2 in the coaches’ poll going into their 1967 game, it was for a much larger prize: the national championship. But just like in that game, the Trojans more often than not emerge victorious.
Oregon
While not historical rivals in any sense, Oregon has emerged in the past decade or so as arguably USC’s stiffest competition in the conference. The tide turned when the Ducks unexpectedly reeled off four straight wins against the Trojans from 1998-2001. The Oregon program took off from there, winning the Pac-10/12 championship five times, second only to USC’s seven. The Ducks have a slim 6-5 edge over the Trojans since the turn of the century, including last year’s epic win, a 62-51 shootout.
[sc:NCAA490banner ]Do you think any other school that deserves a place on this list?
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