The former Pac-12 teams, Arizona and Arizona State, have historically avoided scheduling home football games before 5 p.m. in August or September to mitigate the effects of extreme heat. This practice was established through an agreement among athletic directors, conference officials, and television executives. USC and UCLA may need to advocate for similar scheduling considerations with their Big Ten partners following USC's recent season opener, which faced criticism for low attendance due to high temperatures.
USC's game against San Jose State on August 26, 2026, had an announced attendance of 51,144, but appeared smaller, marking the smallest home crowd since late 2018. The kickoff temperature was 94 degrees, one of the hottest recorded at the Coliseum since Lincoln Riley's first game in 2022. USC running back King Miller acknowledged the team's heat management plan as beneficial for player performance.
In response to the attendance concerns, USC released a statement acknowledging the factors affecting turnout and expressing hopes for improved attendance in future games. The low attendance was attributed to several factors, including the opponent's lack of appeal and the extreme heat.
UCLA has faced similar challenges, with a record-low crowd of 27,143 at their 2022 season opener due to high temperatures. USC's next game against Fresno State is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-70s. UCLA's opener at California is set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, and their home opener on September 12 is at 4:15 p.m.
Experts in college football scheduling suggest that while USC and UCLA could request later kickoffs to avoid heat, the decision ultimately rests with television executives due to financial considerations. The next opportunity for these teams to negotiate scheduling changes may come with the Big Ten's television contract renewal in 2030.