Reign #84 of 335 · USC’s 2nd reign
USC, 1940
299Days held
4Defenses
#97Longest of 335
#100Most defended of 335
How it started
January 1, 1940
Took the belt from Tennessee 14–0 at a neutral site on January 1, 1940.
USC was No. 3 in the AP poll going into that game, Tennessee was No. 2. While holding the belt: ranked in 2 of 7 poll weeks, best No. 17. The belt vs. the polls →
Head coach: Howard Jones · 3 reigns started, 1,013 days with the belt.
Defenses
The belt on the line, 4 times
September 28, 1940 · at Washington State 14–14Tie, belt keptOctober 5, 1940 · at Oregon State 0–0Tie, belt keptOctober 12, 1940 · at Illinois 13–7DefendedOctober 19, 1940 · vs. Oregon 13–0Defended
How it ended