The USC-Notre Dame rivalry isn’t just another date on the college football calendar - it’s a tradition that stretches back nearly a century, to 1926. It’s a clash of blue bloods, a coast-to-coast collision that has shaped seasons, defined legacies, and delivered more than its fair share of unforgettable moments. But now, that tradition is on pause - and the reasons behind it are stirring up plenty of debate.
Some USC fans have been quick to point fingers at Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, suggesting that the Irish are ducking the Trojans. But analyst Chris Arledge offered a different take - one that puts more of the responsibility on USC’s own shoulders, particularly on head coach Lincoln Riley and the university's administration.
“We’re going to make a lot of USC fans unhappy now,” Arledge said. “Because a lot of them have circled the wagons and started taking shots at Notre Dame. And while there are definitely some fair criticisms to make of the Irish, this was also something USC played a major role in.”
Arledge didn’t mince words. In his view, the decision to pause the rivalry wasn’t just about scheduling conflicts or conference realignment headaches - it was strategic.
USC, he argued, sees stepping away from this annual showdown as a way to clear a smoother path toward success. And when you look at the recent results, it’s not hard to see why they might feel that way.
Since Lincoln Riley took over in 2021, USC has only managed to beat Notre Dame once. That’s not the kind of record Trojan fans were expecting when Riley arrived with a high-powered offense and a reputation for building winners.
Meanwhile, Marcus Freeman and the Irish have handled their business in this matchup, continuing a historical trend that favors Notre Dame. The all-time series stands at 53 wins for Notre Dame, 37 for USC, and 5 ties.
Of course, college football is always evolving. Coaches and programs put more stock in the present than in decades-old records.
But even in the short term, Notre Dame has had the upper hand. And that’s part of what makes this pause in the rivalry sting a little more for fans on both sides - especially those who see it as an opportunity lost, rather than a scheduling necessity.
From USC’s perspective, stepping away from a tough, non-conference opponent like Notre Dame might make sense. The Trojans are navigating a new era, trying to reestablish themselves as a national contender. Avoiding a high-profile, high-risk game could be seen as a calculated move - one that gives them more control over their path forward.
But calculated or not, it’s a move that leaves a void. Rivalries like USC-Notre Dame aren’t just about wins and losses.
They’re about tradition, identity, and the kind of energy that makes college football special. And while this rivalry may return in the future, for now, fans are left with questions - and plenty of opinions - about why it had to go on hold.
Whether this decision will be viewed down the road as a smart play or a missed opportunity remains to be seen. What’s clear right now is that both programs had a hand in it. And while the debate continues off the field, one of college football’s most iconic matchups won’t be played on it - at least for the time being.