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

No. 2 – Northwestern Wildcats

Punting Northwestern from the Big Ten makes a lot of sense for USC, considering the travel distance and potential weather implications during games. The Trojans will not face the Wildcats until 2025, but we think Northwestern is ousted from the conference due to relevance.

USC’s migration to the Big Ten was undoubtedly financially motivated. The conference’s revenues topped college athletics in revenue in 2023 with $880 million. Monies will come easier following the Big Ten’s new media deals and College Football Playoff expansion.

Booting Northwestern would have everything to do with trimming the fiscal fat. Northwestern consistently reports profit from its football program, but it doesn’t take the most dedicated fan to know such revenues don’t come close to the Big Ten’s elite.

The Wildcats were good for an occasional 10-win season during Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure, but they’re historically a losing football program. Regarding the other major college sports, we struggle to identify a notable team. Moreover, the hazing scandal leading to Fitzgerald’s termination makes Northwestern unattractive.

USC football is 5-0 all-time against Northwestern, including their last meeting, a 41-32 win in 1996. We don’t think the Wildcats will pose a threat to the Trojans anytime soon.

However, the No. 1 team on our list has historically caused USC more fits than any Big Ten-member program.