Sports Illustrated Magazine, January 10, 2005 - USC National Championship Issue

This is an original physical copy of the January 10, 2005 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine, featuring Matt Leinart and the USC Trojans following their 55-19 victory over Oklahoma in the National Championship. The cover is printed on standard glossy magazine stock and features a full-color photograph of quarterback Matt Leinart in a USC uniform and helmet, preparing to throw a football. The title 'Sports Illustrated' is prominently displayed in its signature font across the top. The headline '55-19 USC Hammers Oklahoma to Win The National Championship' is centered in bold, white and yellow type. Additional cover stories mentioned include Tracy McGrady, Russian Hockey, and NFL Playoffs. Regarding its condition, the magazine shows visible signs of handling and age. There is significant 'color breaking' and white scuffing along the spine edge, characteristic of frequent reading. The corners show mild rounding and softening. Notably, there is a remnant of a mailing address label located in the lower-left corner, which is common for subscription copies but typically reduces value compared to newsstand versions. Small creases are visible along the right edge and the top right corner. Despite these flaws, the cover remains vibrant with no major tears or moisture damage visible on the front. This item represents a specific historical moment in college football history from the mid-2000s.