What does USC and UCLA's rising football presence mean for the Big Ten Conference?

Los Angeles, California - In their final stretch in the Pac-12 conference, USC and UCLA have made a complete turnaround on the football field while putting Los Angeles back on the college football map.

For the first time in over 10 years, both UCLA and USC football are entering the halfway mark of the season undefeated.
For the first time in over 10 years, both UCLA and USC football are entering the halfway mark of the season undefeated.  © Sean M. Haffey / RONALD MARTINEZ /GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

For the first time in a very long time, Los Angeles has made its way back into the college football conversation thanks to USC and UCLA.

Contrary to what fans believe, though the bombshell preseason news of a conference realignment did make headlines, the performance by each of the Golden State schools' football programs that have been the talk of the town.

After UCLA toppled the nationally ranked Washington Huskies, the once highly regarded program started to rebuild some buzz.

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When the Bruins knocked off the defending conference champions Utah during Week 6, UCLA went from being disregarded to now unstoppable.

For the first time since 2006 while under the legendary coaching of Pete Carroll, the USC Trojans have reached the halfway point of the regular season without a single blemish on their record (6-0).

The Trojans' Week 6 win over Washington State allowed the team to remain one of college football's 15 undefeated teams this season, solidifying their stance as one of the nation's best.

Heading into Week 7 of the college football season, a new narrative might have formed: Maybe there’s no better team in the Pac-12 Conference than these two Los Angeles-based schools.

What does USC and UCLA's dominance mean when facing the Midwest's best?

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day holds up the championship trophy alongside MVP Trey Sermon after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 22-10 in the Big Ten Championship.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day holds up the championship trophy alongside MVP Trey Sermon after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 22-10 in the Big Ten Championship.  © Joe Robbins / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP

To great surprise, both USC and UCLA are leading the Pac-12, though they're preparing for a big conference move come 2024.

The two power schools of Los Angeles are headed to the chilly Midwest to join one of the greatest conferences in college sports history, the Big Ten, where they'll meet with heavy hitters Michigan and Ohio State.

Currently, the Buckeyes and the Wolverines are the two leading programs on the field in the Big Ten, followed by Penn State who falls just outside the top 10 nationally.

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With USC and UCLA in the mix, they can potentially change the dynamics in the rankings within the Big Ten.

While Ohio State is definitely projected to maintain its dominance over the two California schools, Michigan and Penn State could very well be threatened by the emergence of these West Coast programs.

With schools like Illinois, Rutgers, and Wisconsin amongst others, a matchup with USC or UCLA just may make these conference veterans a little upset with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren for allowing them to join after all.

In the Pac-12 game of the year, USC and UCLA will face off on November 19 at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Cover photo: Sean M. Haffey / RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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