The Notre Dame-USC rivalry isn’t just another game on the college football calendar - it’s one of the sport’s most iconic matchups. Nearly a century of history, tradition, and unforgettable moments have been built around this coast-to-coast clash.
So when news broke that the series would be paused, it didn’t take long for the finger-pointing to begin. And depending on who you ask, either Notre Dame or USC is to blame for the break.
Some voices in the media - and even a few USC supporters - have suggested the Trojans are ducking the Irish. But not everyone sees it that way.
In fact, one prominent Los Angeles columnist, Bill Plaschke, flipped the narrative entirely, calling out Notre Dame’s leadership for what he sees as backing out of the rivalry. In a strongly worded column, Plaschke didn’t mince words, labeling Notre Dame’s decision as cowardly and accusing the program of refusing to accommodate a scheduling change.
Let’s unpack what’s really going on here.
Traditionally, this rivalry is played mid-October in South Bend and late November in Los Angeles. That rhythm has held for nearly 100 years.
It’s part of what makes the rivalry feel so timeless - fans know when to circle the calendar. But recently, USC pushed to move the game earlier in the season, concerned that a late-season loss to a powerhouse like Notre Dame could damage its standing with the College Football Playoff selection committee.
The logic? A late blemish on the resume might carry more weight than an early one, even if the opponent is elite.
Now, whether you think that’s a strategic move or a sign of fear depends on your perspective. But the fact remains: USC wanted to shift the game.
Notre Dame didn’t want to change a tradition that’s been in place for generations. And when the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement, the Irish walked away from the table - and toward a new two-year scheduling agreement with BYU.
So, is that Notre Dame running from the rivalry? Hardly.
The Irish have dominated the recent head-to-head, going 10-3 in the last 13 meetings. This isn’t a team that’s looking to avoid a challenge.
If anything, Notre Dame made it clear they were willing to keep the rivalry going - just not under USC’s new terms.
Another criticism lobbed Notre Dame’s way involves their decision to skip a bowl game after missing the College Football Playoff. They were in the CFP conversation all season, and when they didn’t make the final cut, they opted out of a lower-tier bowl.
That choice has been painted by some, including Plaschke, as another sign of weakness. But in today’s college football landscape - where bowl opt-outs, transfer portal entries, and NFL Draft prep often take center stage - that decision isn’t as unusual as it once might’ve been.
The bigger picture here is that this rivalry didn’t end because one team was scared. It ended - at least for now - because two programs with different priorities couldn’t find common ground.
USC wanted to protect its CFP hopes by reshuffling the calendar. Notre Dame wanted to preserve tradition.
Neither side blinked, and the result is a temporary pause in one of college football’s most storied series.
Will it return? Most likely.
Rivalries like this don’t stay dormant for long. The history is too rich, the fanbases too passionate, and the stakes too high.
But for now, Notre Dame moves forward with BYU on the schedule, and USC will have to find another opponent to fill that late-season slot.
In the end, this isn’t about cowardice - it’s about control. And when two blue-blood programs both want the final say, sometimes the only option is to walk away.