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Joel Klatt says USC, UCLA were ‘forced to leave’ for Big Ten to stay relevant

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•07/04/23•

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(Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt said USC and UCLA were forced to leave for the Big Ten to get onto greener pastures.

Basically, staying in the Pac-12 would’ve made those two football programs less relevant than ever before. So why not capitalize on realignment and join the Big Ten with other big brands in time for the expanded College Football Playoff?

With the new schedules and no divisions, the Big Ten will look mighty different with USC and UCLA in the fold.

“They had to leave,” Klatt said on a recent appearance on The Herd. “They were forced to leave the Pac-12. Still doesn’t have a media deal. I mean, for crying out loud. So that’s a totally moot point, they left, they had to, they’re in a better spot. Now you look at what is it in practice? What is it in reality? Well, you look at those schedules.

“That’s a really good schedule. It’s a good schedule for your home fans. It’s a good schedule for parity within the conference, and it’s a good schedule to try to compete for a playoff spot. In particular as we move into 2024 and ‘25, where we’ve got the expanded playoff.”

USC and UCLA coming to the Big Ten gives more exposure to West Coast football. And what better exposure than the two most famous brands out west in terms of college football?

Basically, it’s a win-win for the programs and the conference.

“If you’re a fan like as you are of these West Coast teams, the idea of going to the Rose Bowl or going to the Coliseum and seeing some of those teams come in: Michigan, Ohio State Wisconsin, Nebraska, they’re going to travel great and the atmosphere is going to be outstanding,” Klatt said. “It’s going to be outstanding. And by the way, you’re going to be playing in much better windows. You’re not gonna be playing at 7 p.m. on the west coast, where no one can find your game … 

“It’s going to be on primetime. East Coast primetime I’m talking about and it’s going to be on a network. It’s going to be you know, NBC has got that nighttime game now. CBS has that 3:30 game and the Big Ten, you’re going to know where you’re playing. It’s gonna be on network television. This deal for USC and UCLA is going to be really good.”