I am once again begging the folks in USC’s athletic department to study some Greek literature

Once again, I implore the people in USC’s athletic department to open a book.

Or open Google. Watch a YouTube explainer. Just ask an English professor walking across campus. Anything.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS FROM OUTKICK

Because for the second time in less than two years, the USC Trojans tried to create football excitement around a famous work of Greek literature without considering one crucial detail:

The Trojans lose in spectacular fashion.

With Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” taking over theaters and social media, USC football decided to take advantage of the moment. The program released its own version of the movie poster, featuring the famous Trojan helmet and the words “Our Odyssey begins August 29.”

Very cool, dramatic and current. There’s just one small problem.

“The Odyssey” is the story of the Greek hero Odysseus’ journey home 10 years after the Trojan War. And the reason Odysseus goes home is because he and the other Greeks have just finished destroying Troy.

The Trojans are not the heroes of “The Odyssey.” When the story begins, their city has been sacked, their greatest warriors are dead, and the surviving Greeks are packing up to return home after an extremely long and violent road victory.

This seems like poor branding for USC.

A copy of The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson, was shown in Manhattan, NY, on July 12, 2026. Roommates and friends who connected through Survivor Watch groups decided to start a book club just to read The Odyssey. (Washington Post via Jackie Molloy/Getty Images)

Now listen, I know not everyone is a nerd. I can’t blame you if you don’t personally know the intricate details of Homer’s epics. Most normal people do not spend their free time poring over ancient Greek poetry.

But if you represent one person academic institution If you have a character whose mascot represents the mythological inhabitants of the ancient city of Troy, you should probably have a general understanding of how things work for them.

At least someone in the social media approval chain asked “Who won the Trojan War?” needs to write. Enter it into a search bar before hitting “Send.”

‘THE ODYSSEY’ REVIEW: CHRISTOPHER NOLAN GOES EPIC WITH HIS MOST AMBITIOUS FILM EVER

And if USC hadn’t already made the exact same mistake, I might be willing to dismiss this as a one-time oversight.

Ahead of the 2024 season, the Trojans released a beautifully produced, exciting video showing USC players bursting from the Trojans and charging into battle.

Again, a very beautiful visual.

But it wasn’t the Trojans hiding inside the Trojan Horse. They were Greeks. It was the Trojans who foolishly dragged the horse into their own city, slept, and were slaughtered when the Greek soldiers came out and opened the gates.

USC Trojans mascot The Spirit of Troy waves a flag during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl featuring the Texas A&M Aggies and USC Trojans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on December 27, 2024. (Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

And now, after already existing roasted for this bonerUSC returned to the same literature and turned to another story detailing his own death.

But perhaps the funniest part of this whole situation is the date USC chose for the start of its own “Odyssey.”

Atmosphere at the New York premiere of “The Odyssey” held at AMC Lincoln Square on July 14, 2026 in New York, NY (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

The Trojans will open the 2026 football season on Aug. 29 against San Jose State. Spartans.

So, almost two years after USC introduced itself with the weapon used to destroy Troy, which all led to a war against the ancient Greek army, it introduced its season with a story about the destruction of Troy.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Is this – dare I say it – poetic?

Anyway, good luck Trojans. And maybe leave the questionable wooden horses in the parking lot.