The USC football team recently faced criticism for a social media post that attempted to capitalize on the release of a film titled "The Odyssey." The post, which appeared on X (formerly Twitter) from the @USC_Athletics account, stated, "Our Odyssey begins August 29," referencing the start of their upcoming season. This statement drew immediate attention due to the historical context of "The Odyssey," which details Odysseus's decade-long journey home after the Trojan War.
The narrative of "The Odyssey" is intrinsically linked to the Trojan War, a conflict that resulted in the destruction of the city of Troy. USC's athletic teams have been known as the Trojans since 1912, a nickname chosen to represent the fighting spirit of the university's athletes when competing against larger or better-equipped opponents. However, the team's connection to the epic poem has been called into question, as USC, representing the Trojans, is associated with the victors of a war that decimated Troy, not with a decade-long journey of wandering after its fall.
College football fans and observers reacted to the post, with many pointing out the historical inaccuracy. Some comments suggested a lack of knowledge about ancient Greece or the relevant literature within the university's athletic department. Rivalries with other universities, such as Notre Dame and UCLA, were humorously invoked in some criticisms.
Prior to adopting the "Trojans" nickname, USC's sports teams were known as the Methodists or Wesleyans. The "Trojans" moniker was first suggested by a sports editor to honor the resilience and competitive drive of USC athletes.
Some social media users also drew parallels between the team's recent performance and the themes of "The Odyssey," suggesting a prolonged period of struggle or being "lost." This interpretation alluded to a perceived lack of significant success over a recent ten-year span.
The USC football team is set to begin its 2026 season on August 29 against San Jose State. The team faces a challenging schedule in its first year in the Big Ten conference, with games against Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon. Despite the tough competition, DraftKings has placed the Trojans at +3500 to win the national championship and +240 to make the College Football Playoff. The odds for winning the conference are set at +1400.