College football realignment has produced its share of surprises, but Bruce Feldman believes one of the sport’s most historic brands still has an unconventional path on the table.
While on ESPN Los Angeles' "Mason & Ireland," the FOX Sports analyst said there remains at least a “puncher’s chance” that USC could one day pursue football independence. Even after making the high-profile jump from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten.
Feldman explained how the idea of going independent has floated around USC for decades. “Since the time I moved out here, right when Pete Carroll got it rolling, I feel like there’s always been some thought of, ‘We should go independent… we’re driving the boat on this,’” Feldman said.
The Trojans have long viewed themselves as a program deserving of a larger financial share than traditional conference peers. This is nothing new, but with a squeeze out scenario in the Big Ten, now would be the time to jump again.
While USC's West Coast exodus to the Big Ten with Pac-12 rivals UCLA, Oregon and Washington seems like a good move, Feldman questioned why independence would make sense now. Especially given the massive media deal that prompted the jump. When pressed for odds that USC might revisit independence, Feldman offered a number. “I don’t know… 20%. I don’t even know if I would go that high.”
The fact Feldman even mentioned it means there is someone in the USC circle talking about it. He does not expect such a move in the coming years. But even acknowledging that possibility shows how the college athletics landscape has become the Wild West.
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