The long-standing USC-Notre Dame rivalry is once again in the national spotlight, and this time, it’s not because of anything that happened on the field. College football analyst Josh Pate lit a fire under the debate over Notre Dame’s independence with a pointed message that’s resonating across the sport.
Pate didn’t mince words. In a post that’s been making waves, he called for the USC-Notre Dame rivalry to be protected from the whims of coaches and administrators, even suggesting that if someone doesn’t want to play the game, they should “take another job.”
The implication? Rivalries like this are too important to be left to chance-or to the changing priorities of college football’s power brokers.
His message struck a nerve, especially among fans who’ve grown tired of the shifting landscape. And while it wasn’t a direct shot at Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, many saw it as a not-so-subtle dig-especially given the timing and tone.
Notre Dame, for its part, has remained firm in its stance: independence is part of its DNA. And starting in 2026, the Irish will have a guaranteed path to the College Football Playoff if they finish in the top 12, thanks to a signed agreement.
That’s a big deal-it gives Notre Dame a clear route to the postseason without joining a conference. But it doesn’t quiet the critics who believe the Irish should be playing by the same rules as everyone else.
And those critics were out in full force.
One fan didn’t hold back, calling out Notre Dame’s scheduling practices: “Notre Dame fills the schedule with G5s around the USC game, while USC is playing blue bloods. Notre Dame is scared to play a healthy USC, it seems.” It’s a sentiment that’s been echoed before-Notre Dame’s schedule flexibility gives them control, but it also opens them up to criticism when it looks like they’re dodging tougher matchups.
Another fan took it a step further, saying the Irish should join a conference and play nine conference games, with USC as the tenth. “Until then,” they argued, “we can’t advocate for ND to stack the schedule however they want and then expect USC to play them in the middle of their conference slate.” That’s the heart of the issue for many-conference teams are grinding through week-in, week-out challenges, while Notre Dame has more freedom to shape its calendar.
Others chimed in with their own takes, ranging from “Shots fired, Marcus” to more structural suggestions like “Make ND join the SEC or Big Ten.” One fan questioned both programs’ scheduling strength, saying, “Why do USC and Notre Dame insist on playing cupcake schedules?”
Another simply cheered on Pate: “Amen!! Getting tired of waiting for your ascendance to the throne.
Hurry, CFB is starting to tarnish.”
The overarching theme? Frustration with the current system-and with Notre Dame’s unique place in it.
That frustration isn’t just coming from fans, either. Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire added his voice to the conversation ahead of the Orange Bowl.
Speaking on the playoff selection process, McGuire didn’t hold back: “I think when you have a criteria where you’re going to select a team, everybody should be in that same criteria,” he said. “So, I don’t wanna make Notre Dame mad, but be in a conference, and you’re in the playoffs.”
To be clear, McGuire wasn’t criticizing Marcus Freeman personally-in fact, he praised him: “I think he’s an absolute rockstar. I would want my son to play for Marcus Freeman.”
But his point was about fairness and consistency. If everyone else is being judged by one set of rules, why should Notre Dame get a different path?
This isn’t the first time McGuire’s taken a shot at programs operating outside the traditional structure. After a win over BYU in November, he made a similar comment, questioning why some teams continue to avoid conference affiliation.
At the center of all this is a rivalry that’s been part of college football’s fabric for nearly a century. USC and Notre Dame have played nearly every year since 1926, and the game has often carried national implications. It’s one of the few rivalries that bridges regions, styles, and legacies-and in a sport where tradition is constantly being reshaped by realignment and revenue, it’s one of the few constants fans can count on.
But as the playoff era evolves and the pressure to conform increases, Notre Dame’s independence will continue to be a lightning rod. The Irish have managed to walk a fine line-maintaining tradition while staying relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. Whether that line will hold as the sport moves into its next chapter remains to be seen.
For now, the message from voices like Pate and McGuire is clear: If Notre Dame wants to compete for titles, it may be time to play by the same rules as everyone else. And if the Irish want to preserve rivalries like the one with USC, they might need to think about what it takes to make that happen in the long run.
Because in today’s college football, nothing is sacred-unless you fight to protect it.