USC Football: USC’s biggest enemies in the 1970’s

This summer, LA Sports Hub will be rolling out its “Enemies” series. I’ll be discussing the enemies of USC Football, starting with the Trojans’ fiercest opponents of the 1970’s.

By the time the calendar turned to 1970, USC football had solidified itself as a national powerhouse with six national championships. The arrival of coach John McKay in 1960 signaled the beginning of a new golden age for the Trojans. McKay led USC football to eight Rose Bowl appearances during his tenure including four national championships.

When McKay made the jump to the NFL in 1975, it did nothing to hinder USC’s dominance of the decade. Assistant coach John Robinson took the helm the next season and went 11-1 en route to yet another the Rose Bowl title in 1976, finishing second in the AP poll.

These coaches were not only elite game coaches, they recruited players to play for USC who would go on to become legends of college football history. John McKay coached USC’s first two Heisman Trophy winners in running backs Mike Garrett and O.J. Simpson, who established the tradition that distinguished USC as “Running Back U”.

The 1974 national championship team was led by running back Anthony Davis, who USC fans will say should have won the Heisman over Ohio State’s Archie Griffin that season.

Under John Robinson, Charles White emerged as the next great USC running back, as he took home the 1979 Heisman Trophy while working on a committee with future Heisman winner Marcus Allen. Safety Ronnie Lott was the anchor of USC defenses of the late 1970’s, following in the footsteps of USC all-time interceptions leaders Artimus Parker and Danny Reece.

It’s proven year after year in college football how difficult it is to win consistently, especially before the introduction of the BCS Championship and College Football Playoff, when teams had to finish first in the AP Poll after the bowl season to be crowned national champions.

Although USC had great success throughout the 1970’s, there were many teams who proved to be worthy opponents. The Trojans had epic battles with their Pac-8 (Pac-10 from 1978-2010) rivals, in addition to some thrilling non-conference matchups with other college football powerhouses in the regular season and in bowl games.

Let’s take a look at some of USC’s most formidable opponents of the 1970’s, starting with a team that’s given them trouble in more recent years as well.