I think people forget we’ve played Stanford and Oregon,both who have had as much or more success than USC in recent years.

Good point. The only reason I'd think they would do that is if they somehow wanted to do something for fans in a slightly different region of LA. Not unlike playing the MBB Causeway game in the G1 Center I guess.

And Boise. And obligatory plug for SDSU, which while unranked at the time had a Heisman contender and beat Stanford two weeks later.

I'm sure we have two former Aggies to thank for this one: running back Alex Garfio (USC Assistant AD) and wide receiver Jeff Fucci (USC Associate AD). Davis guys through and through, and they played with Plough + Keane in the era when Josh Flushman was running football ops.

Another UCD football connection to USC, though probably not involved in the recent announcement: Dave Roberts was an OT for the Ags from 1970-72. He went on to law school and from (I think) 2010 to 2016 worked with NCAA compliance and related subjects in the USC athletic department. After retiring from that post he served as an advisor to the USC president for another couple of years. I have a feeling he was a busy, busy guy in both positions.

And Daryl Gross around the corner at Cal State LA.

I think we would take that paycheck no problem...call San Diego next off-season.

Not sure if the below was posted yet:

https://247sports.com/college/usc/Article/One-more-thought-about-USC-scheduling-UC-Davis-and-falling-off-the-No-FCS-list-133679428/Amp/

Apparently there is a lot of blowback from Trojan fans and a sports writers like this guy about the Trojans scheduling this game. Makes me wonder if USC will eventually buy out the contract with the Aggies.

Wow. They talk about keeping the “streak alive.” That is, not ever playing a FCS program, like its some sort of undefeated stretch of games or seasons. They would rather play any FBS team than us, i.e. Middle Tennessee State, Fresno or woeful San Jose State just to keep the “streak alive”. Very weird indeed.

My gut feeling says they will.

The boosters there have a lot of power.

I think it's genius from UC Davis -- if it's already agreed, ie implied or otherwise legal contract, meaning we're guaranteed cash whether we play the game or not.

The 247 Sports article says that the USC Ad, Lynn Swann, is on vacation. It sounds like he's about to get an ear load of vehement complaints when he returns to the office.

The article brings up something I mentioned earlier, that eventually SC might 'back out and buy out'...and something Zander suggested - that SC should develop a long range plan to incorporate use of NFL level stadiums (stadia??) (and the Coliseum IS an NFL stadium) and develop a tie in with Las Vegas.

Helton and Swann will be lucky to be in the employ of SC on Labor Day of 2021, whoever and wherever SC plays.

Hah! I'll take free money for the program. Potential double payday if another FBS program wants to rumble

They mention 2 other programs who haven't played an FCS school, one being Notre Dame.

The third is UCLA.

Shoot, let's schedule ND and UCLA right after U$C bails out.

Or we schedule UMass.

1972 Boardwalk Bowl - UMass 35, UCD 14 - We owe them!!!

Part of what makes the scheduing stick in the craw of USC traditionalists is that if they schedule an FCS opponent, then the last two hold-outs are the Trojans' biggest rivals.

The boosters there have a lot of power.

Thats the truth, big time. I went to HS down there. Several of my close friends ended up at SC. Their booster and alumni network is remarkable. And that kind of $ talks the talk and walks the walk.

We get the PR boost with the quote from Blue (which was excellent by the way) and possibly get bought out - win!

Honestly if they pay us the money to take us off the schedule, I wouldn't be opposed. Gives us a chance to schedule another FCS match up that will help us stay healthy and boost our record. That or we schedule another FBS and get to "double-dip" on the money USC and the new school would pay us.

[Edit] Possibly.

Which other FCS teams has SC scheduled? Their website has yet to list any on the future schedules page.
https://usctrojans.com/sports/2018/5/21/usc-football-future-schedules.aspx

Florida has Florida Atlantic on their schedule for Sept. 4, 2021. Maybe we could play the Owls. If Lane Kiffin is still around then, he will probably have self-exploded and the Ags could give them a game.

My mistake. They did add San Jose State and Nevada, but not another FCS team.

To be fair San Jose State always seems to be about one heart beat away from dropping to FCS.