Hot start to Trojan football season creates buzz at USC

The last time USC football boasted a 5-0 record in a full season was in 2006, when many current Trojan undergrads weren’t even in kindergarten yet.

This thrilling start has not only garnered students’ attention, but has also put USC on the map nationally. USC’s undefeated record and consistently high scoring have earned the team a #6 national ranking in the most recent AP Poll. Fans have hopes for a Trojans’ college football playoff appearance and potentially a chance at their first national championship since 2004.

Students, faculty and members of the extended Trojan family have made it clear that they feel like they are part of something special this season.

“In Los Angeles, you need three components to build a following. You need to win. You need to be entertaining when you win. And you need to have star power,” said Jeff Fellenzer, associate professor of professional practice at USC Annenberg who has decades of experience in sports media. “And this USC football team really checks all three of those boxes very clearly.”

True to Fellenzer’s assessment, students said they have been more happy to cheer on the Trojans this season than last.

“It really excites me because last year we sucked. We were so bad,” said Charlie Leoni, a sophomore majoring in acting. “[Winning] makes this year more exciting to go to the games and more exciting to tailgate with friends.”

Students like junior psychology major Sepi Nazarian are thinking big – national championship big.

“I’m very excited and actually very proud. I have seen the morale go up,” Nazarian said. “I think we’re going to win it all.”

Nazarian is not the only student eager to see the full potential of the team.

“I see [the excitement] in my classes,” Fellenzer said. “There are more questions about the team, more observations, more hands going up to weigh in on developments with the team, with the program.”

The buzz has spread to college football fans across the country. Alessia Lubrano, a junior studying public relations, said that people from the East Coast have taken notice of the Trojans’ excellence.

“People from my hometown in New Jersey text me or call me every time we have a game and when we win,” Lubrano said. “They’re supporting me from so far away.”

This weekend the Trojans host the Washington State Cougars, who hold a 4-1 record and recently received the most votes of any FBS team outside of the AP top 25 poll. As USC has yet to face a ranked opponent, the stage is set for what could be the most exciting game yet.

The Trojans also look toward marquee road matchups against #11 Utah and #18 UCLA on the horizon. With a prime time slot of 4:30 p.m. on FOX this Saturday, USC has the potential for even more fans, more energy and more investment in Trojan victory.