The recent report that USC football is attempting to cancel their 2024 season opener against the LSU Tigers has sparked a lot of discussion and debate among fans and pundits alike. While some may see this as a sign of fear or lack of confidence in their program post-Caleb Williams era, there is a bigger issue at play.
The SEC’s scheduling practices have been under scrutiny for years, with many arguing that they favor “cupcake” games against lower-tier opponents such as The Citadel and Chattanooga. Despite this, the SEC continues to schedule these games without facing any repercussions, which highlights a significant structural issue in college football.
The discrepancy in the number of conference games played between the SEC and Big Ten creates an imbalance in scheduling and playoff odds. USC’s decision to avoid the LSU game underscores this issue, which has raised valid concerns about fairness and equality in college football. However, without a central governing authority overseeing all college football programs, it is unlikely that all teams will play under the same rules and conditions.
It is essential to address this issue before it becomes more significant problematic down the line. The NCAA should work towards creating a more balanced system that ensures fairness and equality for all teams across different conferences. Only then can we hope for a more competitive and exciting college football landscape for fans to enjoy.
