What 5 schools would USC football kick out of the Big Ten, if given the option?

The USC football is approaching its first season as a Big Ten member. As such, we’re speculating the five teams the Trojans would boot from the conference if given the choice.

By John Fye | Jun 24, 2024

Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Ronald Jones II (25) is defended by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Sojourn Shelton (8) during the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Wisconsin defeated USC 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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No. 4 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The distance to Piscataway, New Jersey, from the USC campus, is 2,788 miles. It would take Trojans fans one day and 14 hours to reach the Rutgers campus by car without stopping. Thankfully, USC football will travel to away games in New Jersey by plane.

Still, coast-to-coast travel to play a Big Ten bottom-dweller is not ideal.

Rutgers remains the program many Big Ten football fans scratch their heads about. We know the conference was antsy to get a footing in the New York market and added Rutgers during the 2014 expansion. However, the program has not been successful, and we question how many New Yorkers care about a college football team located in northern New Jersey.

The Scarlet Knights have only accomplished two winning seasons since joining the Big Ten, including their 7-6 finish to 2023. Their college basketball and baseball programs are virtually unnoticeable. And much like Maryland, we don’t think the revenue juice is worth the squeeze.

Rutgers will make the long flight to play USC for a Friday night game on October 25th. The Trojans will not have to play a game in New Jersey until the 2026 regular season.

Travel considerations aside, we’re moving on to other three teams we think USC would kick out of the Big Ten, if given a choice.

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