For nearly a century, USC has been facing off against Big Ten opponents in college football. The tradition dates back to 1925 when the Trojans played and beat the Iowa Hawkeyes with a score of 18-0. The most recent game between USC and a Big Ten team was a loss to Iowa in the 2019 Holiday Bowl. However, the hiatus in USC-Big Ten matchups will come to an end when the Trojans join the Big Ten alongside UCLA, Washington, and Oregon.
Throughout history, USC has shown great dominance against Big Ten teams, holding a winning record of 75-30 (.714). The Trojans have particularly excelled in games against Michigan and Ohio State, with a 14-3 record since 1970. Prior to Clay Helton’s tenure, USC had a seven-game win streak against Ohio State, showcasing their strength against Big Ten opponents.
In its long history of matchups against the Big Ten, USC has only had a losing record in a decade once, back in the 1940s when they went 2-5. Conversely, there was a 16-year stretch from 1998 to 2014 where the Trojans were unbeaten against the Big Ten, winning all 12 games they played during that time. This included victories over powerhouse teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State.
The Clay Helton era saw a shift in USC’s fortunes against the Big Ten, with the Trojans going 1-3 in matchups during that time. Despite losses to Nebraska, Iowa, and Ohio State under Helton’s leadership, USC’s overall winning record against the Big Ten remains impressive. For more college football coverage, be sure to visit our partner sites like Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire. If you’re interested in NFL draft coverage, check out the USA TODAY Sports NFL Draft Hub.