Folks, the rumors are true. I’m bad luck for the Trojans.

I don’t make the rules; I don’t care about betting odds, even though Penn State is somehow favored; I don’t even think about the fact that the Nittany Lions are 0-2 in Big Ten play. All I can tell you is that, due to my attendance, the Trojans simply can’t win in Happy Valley.

While I now bleed blue and white, I had the unfortunate reality of growing up as a USC Trojans fan because both of my parents are alumni. My dad even played on the offensive line from 1989-93. However, watching the Trojans in person has taught me one thing. If they want to win, I should not be in the stadium.

I have been to six USC games in my life — in the Coliseum, at away sites, and at bowl games — and USC is 1-5 with me in attendance.

Yikes.

After one loss, it’s funny. Two, it seems a little odd. But after five, it’s simply a fact: The Trojans can’t win with me in the stadium.

So, let’s take a trip down memory lane.

1. USC vs. Alabama (2016)

My first USC game. 

As a Houstonian, my parents thought nothing could be better than watching the Trojans in their home state. So, we made our way up to Dallas for a neutral-site game against the Crimson Tide. 

Now, you could argue the game was already lost without me in attendance because Alabama was coming off a national championship, but either way, the Crimson Tide crushed the Trojans 52-6. 

This was the beginning of the end for the Trojans and me.

2. USC vs. Texas (2018)

The second time is always better than the first, right?

Sitting at the tippy-top of Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, my family and I watched the Trojans get stampeded by the Longhorns, 37-14.

That makes two losses.

3. USC vs. San Jose State (2021)

The rare case of the Trojans pulling out a win.

I didn’t want to include this, but as a good journalist, I had to be fair and honest and include the one game USC actually won while I was there.

However, I did give the Trojans a bad omen for the rest of the season as they went 4-8 and fired their head coach.

So take what you will from that.

4. USC vs. Tulane (2023)

If you haven’t seen the pattern yet, the Apolskis family will be there if the Trojans play in Texas. And they will lose.

USC took on Tulane in the Cotton Bowl in 2023, and even after leading by two touchdowns going into the half, the Trojans somehow found a way to lose in the final seconds, 46-45.

It would be the first bowl game loss I witnessed for the Trojans, but certainly not the last.

5. USC vs. Penn State (2024)

The first matchup between the two teams in the Big Ten.

I traveled from State College to Los Angeles for a girls’ trip with my mom. Surrounded by my mom and all her USC alumni friends, I was decked out in white and witnessed greatness from Tyler Warren as Penn State won in overtime, 33-30.

More importantly, USC lost again.

At this point, the evidence was becoming undeniable.

6. USC vs. TCU (2025)

Remember the Alamo? No. Remember the Trojans losing again? Yes.

Playing in a bowl game in Texas once again, this time in the great city of San Antonio on New Year’s Eve, USC found itself in another game I attended.

Somehow, the Trojans always find their way into overtime when I am there. I guess they really want to keep me on my toes.

You would think the second time’s the charm. No way they can lose again after being up almost the whole game, right?

But alas, no.

The Trojans lost to TCU in overtime, 27-24.

That brings us to today.

My dad also wanted me to add that the second-to-last time the Trojans made the trip to State College in 1993, he was on the squad that lost to the Nittany Lions. And guess who will also be in attendance this weekend to watch USC play at Penn State for the first time in more than 30 years? My dad.

So not only am I the bad luck charm, but we’re also a family full of them. My parents can’t even watch their alma mater win in person.

Penn State football fans, trust me, I know how hard it is to imagine right now, but we can bounce back this season.

I’m not saying the game will be pretty or that it’ll go the Nittany Lions’ way. But I’ve seen the Trojans lose after leading; I’ve seen them try to come back, but as fate would have it, I’m there, and I know all hope is lost for them.

So if you need anything to fall back on, remember: The Trojans simply cannot win in Happy Valley because I will be there, and the Nittany Lions will get their first Big Ten win of the season Saturday.

You’re welcome, and happy White Out!