The old Pac-12, for all its faults, had a few football teams that knew how to beat the late-summer heat.

Not wanting to test the limits of the human body, Arizona and Arizona State have refused to stage home kickoffs before 5 p.m. in August or September for many years.

That scheduling sanity was part of an agreement among athletic directors, conference officials and television executives not to play games any earlier than 7 p.m. in the middle of the desert without prior consent.

Do USC and UCLA need to push Big Ten officials for similar considerations with their TV partners?

A fan wearing a Los Angeles Chargers jersey and hat sits alone in a top section of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum prior to a college football game between the USC Trojans and the San Jose State Spartans on August 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It might be something to consider after the Trojans were widely mocked Saturday for the small crowd at their steam bath of a season opener, which came only a few years after the Bruins suffered a similar indignity at the Rose Bowl.

Even with tickets going for less than $10 on the secondary market, an announced crowd of 51,144 that appeared significantly smaller showed up for a noon kickoff at the Coliseum to watch USC’s 42-26 victory over San Jose State. It was the Trojans’ smallest home crowd since late in the 2018 season, when they were headed for a 5-7 finish.

The 94-degree temperature at kickoff was tied for the hottest at the Coliseum since coach Lincoln Riley’s first game with the Trojans, when they beat Rice under similar conditions on Sept. 3, 2022.

USC running back King Miller credited the staff’s heat plan for helping players withstand the uncomfortable conditions.

“They developed it very well over the course of the week,” Miller said, “making sure we had our fuel right and making sure we stayed consistent throughout the week to play this game.” 

Pictures of the smattering of fans circulating on social media prompted plenty of derision, not to mention the school releasing a statement to multiple media outlets.

“We understand the factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance,” the statement read. “We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program. We thank our fans who showed up Saturday and look forward to seeing increased attendance the rest of the season.”

Longtime locals weren’t surprised by the small turnout. San Jose State, a late replacement for Notre Dame on the Trojans’ schedule, isn’t exactly a marquee draw.

Southern California wide receiver Trent Mosley (4) runs with the ball while under pressure from San Jose State cornerback Greco Carrillo, front right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/William Liang

Combine that with a record heat wave and an early kickoff to accommodate an NBC broadcast window and perhaps no one should be startled by what transpired.

UCLA has dealt with similar issues in recent years. The Bruins’ 2022 season opener against Bowling Green amid triple-digit heat at the Rose Bowl drew a record-low crowd of 27,143.

Fortunately for the Trojans, their next game against Fresno State on Friday at the Coliseum kicks off at a more reasonable 6 p.m. The forecast calls for temperatures to fall into the mid-70s by game time.

UCLA shouldn’t face sweltering conditions for its opener at California on Saturday given the 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The Bruins’ home opener on Sept. 12 is scheduled for a 4:15 p.m. kickoff, with their Big Ten opener against Purdue on Sept. 19 starting at 8 p.m.

Those who track schedules closely might note that Arizona State hasn’t had a home kickoff earlier than 4 p.m. in August or September since 2006 – and that was on Sept. 30.

Multiple people familiar with college football scheduling who spoke with the California Post said TV executives would likely balk at time restrictions involving the L.A. teams because of the amount of money at stake. USC and UCLA officials could request early season kickoffs in the late afternoon or early evening in future seasons, though the decision ultimately wouldn’t be theirs to make.

That might leave only one option.

Should USC and UCLA join their old conference counterparts in refusing to bake themselves – and their fans – in sauna-like conditions, it will likely involve getting that written into the next Big Ten TV contract that comes up in 2030.