Nebraska a Future Opener?

USC could play either Nebraska or Alabama in its 1999 football season opener at the Coliseum.

“We’ve talked to both Nebraska and Alabama and they’re both interested,” said Associate Athletic Director Daryl Gross.

“If we wind up with Nebraska, we might get them six times in an 11-year period. And having Nebraska at home in ’99 would give us the chance of two 92,000 crowds, with UCLA.”

College football’s playoff format begins in 1998, with a yet-to-be- identified poll scheduled to place two teams in a national championship game.

“We’re fairly sure that strength-of-schedule will be factored into the poll,” Gross said.

Colorado will be the Trojans’ opening opponent in 2000 at the Coliseum, Gross added.

And what does John Robinson say about maybe opening with Nebraska in ‘99?

“We haven’t told him yet,” Gross said.