USC should look to former Pac-12 foes to fill future schedule openings

With the removal of Notre Dame from the USC football schedule until at least 2030, it opens up some interesting scheduling possibilities for the Trojans over the next few years.

Currently, the 2026 schedule has the Trojans just playing 11 games, so they need to add a non-conference game to fill it out. While I believe the Trojans would like to find a P4 opponent to replace the Irish, that might be tough to do in 2026, and it's not a requirement in the Big Ten yet (although I would expect that to change very soon, probably by 2027).

USC doesn't have to replace Notre Dame with a Power Four opponent in 2026. The Trojans are eligible to schedule any FBS program.
— Connor Morrissette (@C_Morrissette) December 22, 2025

There are a couple of parameters that I believe USC would like from these future non-conference opponents: someone located in the pacific or mountain time zone and preferably an opponent that has some history with the Trojans from their days in the Pac-12.

Here are some potential opponents that could fit the bill for USC:

California Golden Bears (depends on ACC scheduling)

The first names that come to mind are California and Stanford. These should be no-brainers, but the ACC scheduling is tricky with 17 teams. The conference is going to an abbreviated nine-game schedule next season and a full nine-game schedule in 2027, but each year one team will play eight games and need two P4 opponents.

Cal has UCLA on a four-year home-and-home deal through 2029. If the Bears have an eight-game conference schedule sometime in the next four years, USC might be able to schedule a one-off game, possibly at SoFi Stadium or Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Stanford Cardinal (2026, 2028 or 2029 potential opponent)

There is a tentative game between Stanford and Notre Dame for 2026, but that wasn't acknowledged on the official Stanford athletics website statement about the revised ACC schedule. This could be an easy opportunity for either a one-off game in 2026 or a home-and-home series for 2026 and 2028 or 2029.

Stanford’s schedule lists that it will be 9 ACC games, Hawai’i, Elon, and “one remaining game on the schedule for Stanford to fill against a Power 4 opponent.” Kind of assume that will be their annual Notre Dame game, but strange not to see it mentioned? pic.twitter.com/5dDuE8a0Of
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 16, 2025

Arizona State Sun Devils (2028 potential opponent)

The Sun Devils have a home-and-home series scheduled with Florida for 2028 and 2031 that has a good chance of being canceled since the Gators will already have ten P4 games on the books for the foreseeable future. That leaves the potential for a one-off game against the Sun Devils in 2028, likely at a neutral site like Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Colorado Buffaloes (2028 or 2029 potential opponent)

Much like the Sun Devils, the Buffaloes have a home-and-home scheduled with Florida for 2028 and 2029, and it could fall by the wayside. Is there a situation where USC plays Arizona State in Las Vegas for 2028 and Colorado in Las Vegas for 2029? The opportunity could be there.