What USC’s empty seats say about college football’s scheduling problem
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- USC's football opener against San Jose State saw notably sparse attendance, sparking social media debate and criticism of Trojans fans for perceived lack of interest.
- The low turnout was partly attributed to extreme heat and the unappealing nature of the matchup, which replaced a traditional rivalry game with Notre Dame that was canceled.
- Attendance struggles at USC and similar programs in pro sports-heavy markets reflect diminished local enthusiasm, especially after consecutive mediocre seasons.
- The trend of scheduling less competitive "cupcake" games persists as many marquee programs avoid challenging home-and-home series, relying instead on easy wins that maintain ticket sales despite fan dissatisfaction.
- Some argue that unless fans collectively boycott these uncompetitive games in significant numbers, schools have little incentive to improve scheduling, potentially undermining the quality and excitement of college football.
