Bush gets back his Heisman

So, last week, it was announced by the Heisman Trust that Reggie Bush was able to reclaim his 2005 award, which is now in his possession. Changing its mind only after the Trust recognized "enormous changes in the college football landscape."

Bush forfeited his Heisman Trophy back in 2010 after the NCAA delivered significant sanctions to the Southern California football program. It was revealed during the investigation that Bush was receiving improper payment during nearly his entire college career, therefore ineligible to play, at least in the minds of the organization.

Now, not only does Bush have his Heisman trophy, USC will also be given a replica, customary every time the award is distributed. Bush will also be invited to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies again, and will be given a vote. 

This has been a major point of debate over the last few years while the NCAA grapples with rules regarding Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) compensation. Several other Heisman winners have spoken out recently, with 2012 recipient Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) officially protesting until Bush was reinstated. 

More than a dozen former Trophy winners were present in Florida when the award was returned to Bush last week, signifying just how important those players believed in the reversal. Bush had been seeking to get his trophy back since 2021, extremely critical of the past leadership.

Now that Bush is back in the club, USC’s eight Heisman winners are one more than the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ohio State Buckeyes and Oklahoma Sooners (Alabama Crimson Tide-4, Army Black Knights-3, Auburn Tigers-3, Florida Gators-3, Florida St. Seminoles-3, Louisiana St. Tigers-3, Michigan Wolverines-3, Nebraska Cornhuskers-3).

Bush is recognized as one of the great college players. Now, he has the hardware to go with it.

Bush Still Suing

Even though running back Reggie Bush was given back his Heisman, he’s still taking action against the NCAA regarding the way was treated at the conclusion of his career at Southern Cal. Bush has maintained he never cheated at USC, and he wants the NCAA to recognize his accomplishments on the field. 

Bush was already in the midst of a defamation suit against the NCAA, and his attorneys made it clear that is continuing. This lawsuit was filed in 2023, regarding some comments made by leaders of the NCAA back in ‘21.

The NCAA gave Bush a ‘cheater’ label, while not recognizing his records at USC. So, not only does Bush want back in the record books, but he wants the school to be credited with its 14 vacated victories.

USC cut ties with Bush back in 2010. He was ‘reinstated’ back in 2020. Still, there’s no intention of dropping the defamation suit.

Trojans on Move

The Southern California Trojans have been one of the elite teams in the history of the Pac-8/ Pac-10/Pac-12 Conference, but no longer. USC will now be a member of the Big Ten, making it much different for the program. 

USC was going to have a difficult time in 2024, having lost quarterback Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears as the first pick in the recently-concluded draft. 

Odds to win the 2024 Big Ten title are out and USC is not among the favorites.. That doesn’t mean that the Trojans can’t find a way to surprise everyone, but there’s some work to be done. 

USC is currently the fifth choice, priced at 25-1 (+2500) to win the Big Ten Conference. It’s the Ohio State Buckeyes as 3-2 (+150) betting favorites to take the title, according to college football conference odds. Another Pac-12 'refugee,' the Oregon Ducks, are next at 5-2 (+250). 

The defending national champ Michigan Wolverines are 9-2 (+450), while the Penn State Nittany Lions are fourth choice at 6-1 (+600). Then there is a big drop in odds until the aforementioned Trojans at 25-1.

Ohio State is also the 17-4 (+425) second choice to win the national title in 2024, as per college football championship odds.