TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, the University of Alabama and the University of Southern California have officially announced a historic home-and-home series, rekindling one of the sport’s most legendary rivalries.
This blockbuster matchup, which will take place in the coming seasons, will revive the celebrated clashes of the Bear Bryant and John McKay era, a rivalry defined by its cultural significance and on-field drama.
The series will begin with Alabama traveling to Los Angeles to face the Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The following season, USC will make the return trip to the heart of the SEC, taking on the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The exact dates have not yet been finalized, but the anticipation is already at a fever pitch among fans and media alike.
The rivalry between Alabama and USC is unique in its scarcity and its impact. The two schools have met only eight times in their history, with Alabama holding a 6-2 advantage.
However, it’s the games of the 1970s, under the guidance of two coaching legends, that have cemented this rivalry in college football lore.
The most famous of these games occurred on September 12, 1970, when a fully integrated USC team, coached by John McKay, traveled to Birmingham to face Bear Bryant’s all-white Alabama squad. The Trojans, led by a spectacular performance from fullback Sam “Bam” Cunningham, dominated the game in a 42-21 victory. The loss was a turning point for Alabama football, as it underscored the need for integration and set the stage for the Crimson Tide to begin recruiting Black athletes, ushering in a new era of dominance.
“The series with USC represents more than just two great football programs playing each other,” said Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne. “It’s about honoring a piece of our history and the history of the sport. The 1970 game was a seminal moment, and to bring this rivalry back on a home-and-home basis is a special opportunity for our fan base and our program.”
The rivalry continued with a 17-10 Alabama victory in Los Angeles in 1971, where Bryant famously unveiled the Wishbone offense, a secret weapon that would fuel his program for years to come.
The most recent meetings in the 1970s and 80s were equally as competitive and nationally significant. The 1978 game in Birmingham, a 24-14 USC victory, was a clash of titans that ultimately led to both teams claiming a share of the national championship.
“We are thrilled to bring this incredible rivalry back to the forefront of college football,” said USC Athletic Director Jen Cohen. “The historical significance of the games between USC and Alabama is something that every college football fan recognizes. For our student-athletes, this will be an unforgettable experience to play in such an important series and to be a part of a tradition that helped shape the modern game.”
For a new generation of fans, the series offers a chance to see a true “Blue Blood” matchup, pitting two of the most storied programs in the nation against each other in a high-stakes, non-conference showdown. Alabama, a perennial powerhouse with a rich tradition of national championships, will face a USC program looking to re-establish itself as a top-tier contender under its current leadership.
The announcement of this series comes at a time of significant change in college football, with conference realignment and the expansion of the College Football Playoff altering the landscape.
By scheduling this home-and-home, both schools are making a statement about the importance of tradition and creating marquee matchups that transcend conference affiliation. It is a return to a golden age of scheduling, and a fitting tribute to the legendary coaches and players who first made this rivalry a classic.
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