wrong......UT is ahead of USC in all time wins........and the stadium is larger and the support/fan base probably about equal. UT draws from a quite large geographical base.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_I_football_win-loss_records
And in my opinion, UT's bowl history is a bit more impressive despite USC's 31-15 record.....USC has spent most of their time playing, essentially a home game in the Rose Bowl, with no appearances in the Sugar or Cotton and only two Orange bowl appearances. UT has been to all the big ones, multiple times.
And USC has had down times also.......check the 80's and 90's.
Granted for Kiffen, he is probably more comfortable in LA.....but the programs are essentially equal and I would give the nod to UT over-all based upon conference affiliation. (ie check how many PAC-10 teams are on the all time win list, then check the SEC. Plus losing to ND does not knock one out of the Rose Bowl......losing to uat/AU/UF knocks one out of the Sugar AND the MNC picture)
In the overall scope of college football history.....it is a lateral move......
WAR EAGLE
I should have emphasized the last decade more as far as being a better job. And the conference affiliation is kind of a tricky thing....sure the SEC is the best, but that only means winning here is harder. I would think the better "job" is having one of the historically top programs, but having it in a place where it's easier to win right now.
As for historical comparison....they are pretty close, but USC has the higher winning % (not by much, just as Tennessee has a few more actual wins).
But USC also has 10 recognized national titles, 5 in the AP poll.
Tennessee has 4 recognized national titles, 2 in the AP poll.
USC has appeared in 689 AP polls, the 4th most all-time.
Tennessee has appeared in 564 AP polls, 10th all-time. (Auburn is 13th with 480).
USC has appeared in the Top 5 of the AP poll 273 times, 5th all-time.
Tennessee has appeared in the Top 5 of the AP poll 122 times, 13th all-time. (Auburn is 15th all-time with 107).
USC has spent 90 weeks at #1, which is 4th all-time.
Tennessee has spent 18 weeks at #1, which is 18th all-time.
USC is 32-16 in bowls (48 total).
Tennessee is 25-23 in bowls (48 total).
To me, an SEC fan, I view them as pretty damn close, because, like you said, consider who they've played, conference affiliation, bowl opponents, support, etc. But even so, historically, and definitely now (which I know you weren't disagreeing with), I still think USC is just slightly ahead.