With both programs struggling in football this season*, there is a lot of frustration going on for Bruin and Trojan fans, for a number of reasons. But I think we can both agree that it absolutely sucks to have to hear B1G fans talk about how the CA schools are pussies, and that this year is the proof.
Think about it. How many times have the Trojans pummeled a Big Ten program in big games, bowl games, etc.? Too many to count. Yeah, not as many in recent years, but still some; you don't have to go back to the Pom Pom Pete days to see it. And if you go back to the 20th century, forget about it. USC has owned the Big Ten in big bowl games, with some exceptions but not many.
The Bruins haven't been as fortunate. No Rose Bowl wins in going on 40 years, but they've beaten B1G teams this century in big games, including Michigan and Ohio State during the latter Toledo years, and they beat Nebraska (who was then a B1G newbie) two years in a row, including a roadie in Lincoln, during the Mora years. I think you can throw in a win or two in OOC games against B1G opponents here and there in recent years. Still, UCLA did beat three different Big Ten teams in the Rose Bowl in the 80s, they beat two #1 teams in the Rose Bowl in 1976 and 1966, and they've generally held their own against that conference.
So, when I hear or read about dumbass B1G fans saying that this inaugural season of UCLA and USC in the Big Ten proves that the L.A. schools are pretenders and don't belong, I want to go postal. What a crock of shit! And the thing that makes it so frustrating is that the B1G isn't even that good this year. Michigan is down, Wisconsin is down, Penn State isn't all that great, and you have Indiana looking like a great team -- and they're really not bad at all. I suppose Ohio State is still good, but I've only seen them play in one game, against Nike, and Nike looks really good so it's hard to tell.
The point is, most of the (traditional) Big Ten teams are doing pretty shitty this season, and if USC and UCLA had even normally competitive teams, the Trojans and Bruins would be right up there in the conference. Hell, even some post-Pom Pom USC teams (Kiffin, Sark, hell maybe even Helton) and some Mora teams would be winning some or most of these games the teams are losing. Even Chip Fatfuck Kelly would be more competitive.
Thankfully my Gopher friends haven't been giving me shit because they know Minnesota sucks and got pretty lucky against UCLA, another team they know sucks a lot worse than usual. They didn't mention USC much to me, but they were pleased with the win because Fleck finally grew some balls and went for it when he had to, which is highly unusual. Still, I have spoken with some other B1G fans (including some Indiana know-nothing asshole basking in the glow of a team that finally isn't the ass end of a joke) who do say that this year proves how much tougher the B1G is, and always has been. Every time I hear this, I want to hit the person saying it in the face. And don't get me started on the TV jocksniffers...they should all fucking die!!!
*I know that USC fans are looking at their season as apocalyptic at this point, but trust me that UCLA fans aren't any different. Certainly the expectations at USC are higher, and 3-4 right now is dangerous ground. But UCLA still has a shot at losing 10 games, which has never happened before, so things are pretty rotten. And we don't have to go back that far to see good UCLA teams, and a good overall program. So, the present situation for UCLA football is, in my estimation, worse than it's been in over 50 years.
It’s going to take a year or so to adjust to the travel and the new league. USC is going to be fine.
I am old enough to remember Red Sanders, nobody fucked with you then.
I think the four p12 teams just joined the B1G one year too late to come out swinging.
With C Williams at USC and M Penix at Washington, plus Bo Nix at Oregon, at least 3 of the 4 former p12 teams would have held their own in 2023. UCLA under Chip would have been more formidable as well imo.
I bet in another year or two, more than just Oregon from the former p12 will be threatening the B1G status quo....
I do remember well back in the 8 years between 1992 and 2000, the B1G won every Rose Bowl game except for the one where USC had the 2 starting QBs in 1996. An anomaly for sure. Maybe that's what B1G fans remember best?
It was a rebuilding year. but CLR hasn’t rebuilt squat. sc
Lots of valid points, but you just clarified for me that UCLA has a realistic shot at having a 10-loss season before it ever has an 11-win season. To me, that would be pretty cool.
B1G fans are smoking crack. As one of the other usc podcasts said yesterday, this USC team may be the worst coaching exhibitiion this century so far in all of CFB, and the big has 4 last minute wins. No dominating blowouts, just 4 luck of the draw, pull them out of your ass wins vs an incompetent head coach. Until they do this vs a USC team with a real coach and operating near peak capability, I'd say it speaks more about how overblown this conference really is. If oregon wins the conference this year, they are going to be eating some crow given they were coming into this season with the defending NC and a likeely favorite to win one this year, yet I'm more impressed with Indiana that either michigan or ohio state.
Don’t attempt to ever group UCLA into the same class as USC in Football. Bruin football greatness died years ago with the late/great Terry Donahue.
I have not heard a thing, TBH, but you are in the middle of B1G territory, right? Tell your neighbors to look for me on that beach shot they always run during the Rose Bowl game, I will wear a thong so I stand out.