Haden Says He'd Consider USC Independence

[IrishMoore1]

Would USC ever declare its independence? ‘You have to consider every alternative,’ Haden says - USC : The Orange County Register

Some fans on the USC forums have looked at our 2012 schedule and said they wish they were independent like us. LOL

How ironic that everyone called for us to join the Big Ten, and now everyone wants to be independent.

 

[johnnykillz]

We steer the ship guys... Still to this day.

 

[irishtrain]

We steer the ship guys... Still to this day.

Amen to that brother and I think somethings afoot, this independence thing -what a novel idea huh! Sounds like a few folks dont want dont want the 'phoney baloney business boys' telling them what to do. I would love to see southern cal go indy. Notre Dame southern cal and BYU would be enough to start a trend. See if Texas follows

 

[GreatGolson]

Normally, i hate everything SC does, but this is a good thing for us, makes the Indy thing more legit if you know what i mean, people say, oh u have an easier shot cuz u used to be good, well know, if these teams go Indy, maybe the BCS will say ANY indy team ranked 8 or ubove will get the bid. just an idea!

 

[phork]

More good independents mean less space for ND in the BCS. While I see your points, I don't think it would be very good for ND if Texas, USC or a number of others decided to go it alone.

 

[irishtrain]

More good independents mean less space for ND in the BCS. While I see your points, I don't think it would be very good for ND if Texas, USC or a number of others decided to go it alone.

This is true but if your good enough you push your way thru the door-isnt that the Notre Dame way when they are excellent? Anybody anytime anywhere. If they are good enough they will get their chance. Southern cal standing with Notre Dame on this matter would be beautiful and Haden is a smart man. We can still hate each other no problem there as I see it.

 

[Irish_Angst]

Perhaps the top 30 football schools can all go independent. Then form one big football-only super-conference.

It's the wave of the future!

 

[Irish.Ca]

I think that (F)USC has thought of themselves as independant for more than a decade now and only realized recently that they were not when the NCAA gave them their just desserts.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

U.S.C, Notre Dame, B.Y.U, Navy, Maybe Air force . I bet a bunch of teams would try to join the cash cow if we created our own conference. Just something to drink about.

 

[RDU Irish]

Hayden = IrishEnvy

 

[IrishLax]

The crux of the issue is that the BCS even exists. I think you'd see a lot more independent teams there was a playoff system. As it is with bowls and the BCS there is a lot of value to staying in a conference and winning that conference.

 

[dales5050]

I think it is all a matter of the money behind the game evolving.

Up until the SEC/ESPN deal, most schools had no idea how much money they could really make. When ESPN threw a bunch of cash at the conferences...they woke up.

Now, after a couple of years in those contracts, the top programs in each conference are looking at the money given to the conference and comparing it to the number of games they are on ESPN/ABC v. the number of games for weaker members.

This is what Texas did IMO. They looked at the ratings and rev share and realized that they were bringing in the cash for the B12, with Oklahoma and maybe Nebraska but splitting that cash 12 ways with schools like Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State.

So now you have programs like Texas and USC saying...wait a minute...just how much money would we make if we got 100% of just our pie?

Another point to consider is the chance to play for a NC. Right now, the SEC champion is going to play for the NC, even if it has 1 loss. That leaves the rest of the nation playing for 1 slot.

USC already feels they were shut out of the NC game and the ACC and Big East knows that not only does their champion have to be perfect but the SEC has to be down for them to play in a NC game. Now that Texas is in what is considered a weak Big12, it really looks like the NC game will be the SEC v. Big10 unless something drastic happens.

I could see a couple of teams going independent.

USC - too much $$$
Texas - too much $$$
Oklahoma - has to follow Texas
West Virginia - was as of 1990
Pitt - was as of 1990
Miami - was as of 1990
Penn State - after they fall to 4th in line in the Big10 behind Nebraska

 

[TDHeysus]

"They all want to be Irish"

 

[nd1]

I think it is all a matter of the money behind the game evolving.

Up until the SEC/ESPN deal, most schools had no idea how much money they could really make. When ESPN threw a bunch of cash at the conferences...they woke up.

Now, after a couple of years in those contracts, the top programs in each conference are looking at the money given to the conference and comparing it to the number of games they are on ESPN/ABC v. the number of games for weaker members.

This is what Texas did IMO. They looked at the ratings and rev share and realized that they were bringing in the cash for the B12, with Oklahoma and maybe Nebraska but splitting that cash 12 ways with schools like Baylor, Kansas and Kansas State.

So now you have programs like Texas and USC saying...wait a minute...just how much money would we make if we got 100% of just our pie?

Another point to consider is the chance to play for a NC. Right now, the SEC champion is going to play for the NC, even if it has 1 loss. That leaves the rest of the nation playing for 1 slot.

USC already feels they were shut out of the NC game and the ACC and Big East knows that not only does their champion have to be perfect but the SEC has to be down for them to play in a NC game. Now that Texas is in what is considered a weak Big12, it really looks like the NC game will be the SEC v. Big10 unless something drastic happens.

I could see a couple of teams going independent.

USC - too much $$$
Texas - too much $$$
Oklahoma - has to follow Texas
West Virginia - was as of 1990
Pitt - was as of 1990
Miami - was as of 1990
Penn State - after they fall to 4th in line in the Big10 behind Nebraska

i read something awhile back that texas was thinking of doing it. they thought they could make more money that way but i don't know now they worked that deal to stay with where they are.

 

[jason_h537]

USC and Texas could both pull it off the problem is being able to fill out a full competitive schedule to remain relevant.