Conference realignment has brought a ton of changes for better or worse to college football after the Pac 12 was broken up with teams joining other leagues. Most of the changes hurt the fans as they have to travel across the Country some weeks to visit an away game while the games being in different time zones make for exhausting days for both the players and the fans.
Last weekend, the USC Trojans hosted the Michigan State Spartans and while the Trojans were able to have a primetime home game, the Spartans were playing at 11:00 PM ET. This weekend, USC goes on the road to take on Illinois except they'll go from playing the latest kickoff time to the earliest.
The massive shift in when the Trojans will kickoff has been the subject of debate for many from USC including Head Coach Lincoln Riley.
Lincoln Riley isn’t thrilled about USC’s early kickoff this week in Champaign.
— Ryan Kartje (@RyanKartje) September 25, 2025
“Going from the absolute latest kick in the country to the absolute earliest kick in the country has its challenges. But the challenges — like, it is what it is. We don’t make the schedule. Clearly.” pic.twitter.com/BZxA2udfZR
Social media users blast Lincoln Riley for being tone deaf
While Lincoln Riley can complain about having to play so early in the day, the USC Trojans are to blame for this problem. The Trojans along with others in their league bolted for leagues made up of teams on the East Coast when it made the most sense to stay in the Pac 12 playing regional football. Teams chose to reap the benefits of joining other leagues and now they have to deal with the consequences.
One account posted that there was a league that could've solved all the Trojans problems but, they chose to destroy it.
If only there were a large, prominent, successful regional conference they could join with lots of teams in the Pacific time zone so these scheduling oddities wouldn't happen!
— Admiral Bear (@AdmiralBear01) September 26, 2025
Maybe a Pacific-based conference? Perhaps with 12 teams?
Too bad that opportunity doesn't exist huh?
Another user brought up that this is the perfect example of why playing in a coast to coast league was a terrible idea in a regional sport.
Exhibit A of the stupidity of having a coast to coast conference in a sport that has always been fueled by regionalism
— Joey Campbell (@jrok78) September 25, 2025
The best point comes from another user who pointed out that Michigan State was forced to play at USC at 11:00 PM Eastern which was a massive benefit for the Trojans.
I mean I agree but MSU had to play there last week at 11 PM EST
— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) September 25, 2025
The good news for Lincoln Riley and USC is that if they really have an issue they can always go back to the Pac 12 which needs new members but, they never will as it would be a tradeoff financially.
Well, USC can go back to the PAC-12 and take UCLA with you...oh wait. https://t.co/2SceVsSEHT
— Jon Easter (@johnnystir) September 26, 2025
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