USC's Probation might force the cancellation of their opener with UH, costing UH millions

HSA Note: "Included in the sanctions against USC is a prohibition against exempted games. On page 57 of its 67-page report, the NCAA's Division committee on infractions said, "...during the two years of this postseason ban, the football team may not take advantage of the exceptions to the limit in the number of football contests that are provided in Bylaw 17.9.5.2, with the exception of a spring game as set forth in Bylaw 17.9.5.2-(a)." Bylaw 17.9.5.2, the so-called "Hawaii Exemption" permits visiting teams to play one game more than the NCAA maximum if traveling to Hawaii."

HSA Note: "The apparent intent of the committee on infractions ruling Thursday was to keep USC from using the same detour that Alabama took advantage of in 2002 and '03 when the Crimson Tide were slapped with a two-year probation by the NCAA. Barred from postseason play, Alabama instead scheduled a 13th game against UH in both 2002 and '03, taking advantage of the Hawaii exemption to play one more game than the current NCAA limit of 12. The Crimson Tide billed the November games as their "bowl" games for recruiting purposes."

JD said that the difference between this USC game and the Alabama games before is that the USC game:
"was scheduled in 2001, before there were any allegations." (HSA)

JD said that if the game was canceled UH would lose:
"more than a million dollars -- and that is a conservative estimate." (HSA)

HSA Note: "It is the marquee home game on UH's schedule, for which season-ticket sales are currently under way. USC's last three appearances here have been sellouts, and the Trojans have requested 7,200 tickets for this one, which will be shown by ESPN."

JD said that the NCAA will do what:
"they will do what makes sense." (HSA)

JD said that UH is contacting the NCAA but that:
"any appeal will have to come from USC since it is their case." (HSA)

USC's President wrote a letter posted on their school's website that said they will:
"appeal those penalties it believes are excessive." (HSA)

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