The 1970 USC Trojans football team competed in the 1970 college football season for the University of Southern California (USC). Led by head coach John McKay, the Trojans were 5–6–1 and played their home games at a stadium on the campus of USC. They are widely regarded as one of the most talented teams in school history, but also had their share of disappointments. In 1969, the Trojans finished with a 7–4 record under McKay. The following year, they went 9–1 and won the Pacific-10 Conference title. As a result, they received the conference's automatic bid to the 1970 Rose Bowl where they lost to Michigan State, 24–7. USC returned to the Rose Bowl in 1971 but lost to Ohio State, 31–14. In 1972, the Trojans finished with an 8–3 record and lost in the 1973 Orange Bowl to Miami (Fla.), 26–7. After this season, McKay left USC to take over the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. He was replaced by Howard Schnellenberger who took the team to five more winning seasons. In 1978, he left to take over at Miami (Ohio) and was replaced by Larry Smith.