The University of Southern California has one of the most distinguished programs in the Pac-12 conference, and in all of college football. The Trojans play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and will do so again in 2028. The L.A. Coliseum first opened in 1923, and after recent renovations has a capacity of 77,500. The Trojans are coached by Lincoln Riley, who replaced Donte Williams after a short 3-5 stint in 2021.

USC Trojans Football History

Southern California first fielded a varsity football team in 1888. From the team's inception until 1912, USC were known as the Methodists, then became known as the Trojans. By any name, USC became a football power by the '20s, when they won their first of 11 national championships, 25 Rose Bowl victories and 39 conference titles. Howard Jones led the Trojans to their first four titles, in 1928, 1931, 1932 and 1939, while John McKay led USC to another golden era (and four more national titles) from 1960 to 1975. USC is home to six Heisman Trophy winners, including Mike Garrett in 1965, O.J. Simpson in 1968, Anthony Davis in 1974, Charles White in 1979, Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004. Other USC legends include tackles Ron Yary, Anthony Muñoz, Ron Mix and Bruce Matthews, running backs Marcus Allen and Frank Gifford, wide receiver Lynn Swann and Marion Morrison, who played in 1925 and 1926 before garnering international notoriety as John Wayne.

USC is unique in having strong local, conference and national rivalries. The Trojans have battled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the Golden Shillelagh since 1952, further cementing a rivalry which dates back to 1926. From 1933 to 1981, the Trojans shared the L.A. Coliseum with UCLA, before the Bruins moved to the Rose Bowl full-time. The crosstown rivals continue to battle for the Victory Bell, and in 1967, the two schools battled in a game for the ages when O.J. Simpson and USC defeated Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban and No. 1-ranked UCLA, 21-20. USC also has a spirited rivalry against Stanford, which in recent years has been known for notable upsets and games with conference and national title implications.