If achievement or standing in research is the criterion, the [Top American Research Universities](<a href=“http://mup.asu.edu/research2007.pdf”>http://mup.asu.edu/research2007.pdf</a>) 2007 report ranks USC 23rd, higher than many other “CC Top Universities”, including Vanderbilt, Emory, Virginia, Cal Tech, Dartmouth, Rice, Notre Dame, Brown, and Georgetown.
So, wither which way the goalposts are moved, by objective criteria, USC still merits inclusion in the CC Top Universities.
The most probable explanation is the USC band’s irritating penchant for repetitively playing [Tribute</a> to Troy](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVN4qVCWI-8&feature=related]Tribute”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVN4qVCWI-8&feature=related) after every defensive stop. It just makes you want to keep them out of the CC Top University list in reprisal.