USC Football: 8 Opponents We'd Love to See on Future Schedules
Among the many distinctive attributes that define the USC Trojans football program through the years is their willingness to play anyone, anytime and anywhere.
Though the last couple of years have seen somewhat of a drop off in quality out-of-conference opponents, prior to that, especially in the Pete Carroll era, the Trojans could always be counted on to represent the finest football the West Coast had to offer. In doing so, they almost always soundly beat whoever the rest of the nation offered as fodder to USC's excellence.
As the Trojans meander through the next few years, a victim of the NCAA's suspect dispersal of "justice," the desire on USC's part to play the best in the nation hasn't waned.
And while the schedule can only offer so many possible out-of-conference opponents each year, that doesn't stop fans of the program wishing they could play certain teams.
These teams may be opponents who have beaten USC in the past or even teams whose fans have grated on the nerves of Trojan fans through the years.
Who are these teams that the Trojans would love to play?
There are many, but let's start with these eight....
No. 8: Florida State
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Not too many teams own a winning record against USC, but Florida State is one of them.
Of course, the body of work isn't deep, but nonetheless, the Seminoles are 2-0 against USC after having beaten them in 1997 and 1998.
However, owning a winning record against USC is only a small component of why the the Trojans would like to try the Seminoles again.
The more appealing reason for the Trojans and their fans is that Florida State head-coach Jimbo Fisher has his team on the fast track to college gridiron success.
After taking over for former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, Fisher has attracted top-flight recruits to Tallahassee and they are now being touted as a top-10 football team heading into the 2011 season.
So what do the Trojans say about a team that owns a winning record against them and are suspected of being very good?
Bring 'em on.
No. 7: Miami
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The No. 7 team on this list features another Florida team, and another from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
And like Florida State, this team is can also boast that they don't have a losing record against the Trojans either.
However, Miami, unlike the Seminoles, doesn't own a winning record against USC either.
The Trojans and Hurricanes have only played twice, with each team winning one in the mid-to-late 1960s.
While the Hurricanes, like the Trojans, have fallen on relatively hard times, they have been historically a superior team, one that the men of Troy thrive on playing.
Besides the joy of sheer competition, though, there is another factor that would make Miami an attractive opponent.
And that "factor" comes in the form of two players on the Hurricanes roster that have Trojans ties.
One is Miami offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson, who at one time was a USC recruit who signed a letter of intent before changing his mind.
The other is former Trojans tight end Blake Ayles, who was granted his release and since has enrolled at Miami.
Counting all the reasons, USC would love to get a shot at "The U."
No. 6: Auburn
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There are reasons for and against why the Trojans would love to play the Tigers again.
First, the reasons why:
1) Auburn is a member of the SEC
2) The Tigers are the defending national champions
3) Auburn is a member of the SEC (oops, I repeated myself didn't I?)
Now, why the Trojans don't have a need to play Auburn:
1) The Trojans have a 2-1 record against Auburn, including back-to-back victories in 2002 and 2003.
In viewing the arguments for and against, it is easy to see why USC would love another shot against the Tigers.
Also, this year, despite the loss of quarterback Cam Newton and other fine athletes, Auburn is considered a top 15 team.
That, by itself, is reason enough for USC to want to play Auburn.
Want another?
The Tigers are a member of the SEC.
There I go again.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 5: Oklahoma
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The last time the Trojans were seen playing the Oklahoma Sooners, they were crushing them 55-19 in the 2005 Orange Bowl.
Of course, according to the NCAA, that game didn't happen, but since I watched it, I will pretend otherwise.
And historically, USC is one of the very few teams to own OU, having secured a very nice 6-2-1 (including the 2005 Orange Bowl) record against them over the years.
So why would the Trojans love to play Oklahoma?
Simple. They are good. Very good.
In fact, most preseason polls have Oklahoma as the No.1 team in the nation going into the 2011 season.
That makes them a perfect opponent as a team USC would love to play.
Besides, USC needs to replace that pesky 2005 game don't they?
No. 4: Alabama
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Yet another of those few teams that own a winning record against the Trojans, Alabama makes this list on excellence alone.
Oh, and they play in the SEC.
In a recurring theme, Trojans fans have a lust for beating teams from the Southeastern Conference.
This is a byproduct of many years of back-and-forth banter between fans of USC and various supporters of whatever SEC team was hot at the time.
Later in this slideshow, there will be a couple more SEC teams featured whose programs are not nearly as well respected by USC fans as the Crimson Tide.
But when it comes to Alabama, most fans of the men of Troy simply shrug and give them their due.
For the most part, Alabama wins a lot and they do it with class.
And when all is said and done, 'Bama owns a 5-2 record against USC.
Of course, the Trojans would love to have them on their schedule so they can change that.
You betcha.
No. 3: Florida
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This game is wanted simply because the fans of USC would love to shut Gators fans up.
During the last decade, fans of the two programs engaged in some of the more venomous chat-room talk found on the internet.
Both camps, rightfully proud of their teams' accomplishments, spit poison at each other, alternately singing the praises of their teams while ripping the other.
To say it got nasty would be an understatement to say the least.
And for USC, they would love to balance the ledger against Florida which owns a 1-0-1 record against them.
That alone is a good enough reason for the Trojans to want to play Florida as soon as possible.
No. 2: LSU
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For a so-called "rivalry" that hasn't been nourished on the field of play, USC vs. LSU sure carries a lot of bad blood.
First, there is the matter of LSU placing a billboard across the street from USC's campus in 2003.
Then the Trojans retaliated where it counts most, stealing two big-time recruits, Joe McKnight and John David Booty, from LSU's backyard.
And, of course, the biggest rivalry factor is the splitting of the 2003 national championship.
Along the way, LSU's head coach Les Miles has taken plenty of opportunities to rip the Trojans whenever he can.
Since 2003, the back and forth between fans of the Trojans and Tigers has reached a crescendo.
Contributing to the general angst of both camps is that USC and LSU are 1-1 overall.
The Trojans would love to make it two out of three.
No. 1: Texas
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This is about payback baby.
When the Longhorns beat the Trojans 41-38 in one of the most exciting Rose Bowls of all time, most Trojans fans begrudgingly gave Texas its due, but not without a disclaimer stating that it took a historic effort by quarterback Vince Young to get the job done.
Now both programs have fallen on relatively hard times.
Mack Brown's Longhorns are looking to bounce back from last year's horrible 5-7 season while the Trojans are hoping to significantly improve 2010's 8-5 record.
Both teams should be better in 2011, but to what extent is anyone's guess.
What no one has to guess about is how much the Trojans would love to get a measure of revenge from the last time they played.
And, as reader Anthony Rogers points out, USC will get that chance in 2017 when the Trojans and Longhorns play a "home and home."
Sounds like fun.
Conclusion
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For fans of the Trojans, it has always been an "us against the world" mentality.
Possessing some of the most passionate fans in college football, USC followers have never been shy about their love for all things cardinal and gold.
And when it comes to football, followers of the program lust for the best competition available.
This list features eight teams that fit the bill when it comes to quality opponents.
Some of these teams are especially disliked, but not all of them for the same reasons.
A few of these teams, in the opinion of Trojans fans, have obnoxious fans.
Others are here because payback is the dish the Trojans would most like to serve.
Still others earn their way on the list because they are just plain, solid teams.
But all of these teams would make a true Trojans fan salivate at the prospect of their boys having a crack at them.
Who would benefit most from these games being played: fans of USC or the fans of the teams the Trojans play?
Yes.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
