USC-Notre Dame Rivalry on Pause: A Missed Opportunity for College Football
The USC-Notre Dame rivalry isn’t just a game. It’s a tradition that’s defined generations of college football fans - a coast-to-coast clash loaded with history, legends, and unforgettable moments. From Knute Rockne to Pete Carroll, from Anthony Davis’ heroics in the ’70s to the infamous “Bush Push” in 2005, this matchup has been a cornerstone of the sport’s identity.
But now? That tradition is hitting pause.
USC and Notre Dame won’t meet in 2026. And after that, the next scheduled matchup isn’t until 2030 - and even that feels tentative.
For two programs that have played 96 times, missing even one season is jarring. Missing several?
That’s a seismic shift.
What Went Wrong?
On the surface, it’s a scheduling conflict. USC was slated to host the game in 2026, but the Trojans reportedly wanted to move it from the traditional late-November date to Week Zero in August. Notre Dame wasn’t on board with the change, and talks broke down.
But there's more beneath the surface - and it all ties back to the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame recently struck a deal with the CFP that guarantees the Irish a playoff berth if they finish in the top 12 of the final rankings. That might sound redundant - top 12 should mean you're in - but the official assurance matters, especially for an independent program that doesn’t play in a conference championship game.
When USC officials learned about the agreement, they reportedly saw it as a competitive edge for Notre Dame. The Irish already avoid the grind of a full conference schedule, and now they’ve got a clearer path to the playoff? That didn’t sit well in Los Angeles.
So USC, now a Big Ten member with a loaded conference slate, pushed for a date change to better align with its schedule. When Notre Dame declined, the Trojans reportedly issued an ultimatum: Week Zero or nothing. Notre Dame chose nothing.
The Fallout
Let’s be clear - USC chose this path. The move to the Big Ten, the added scheduling demands, the ripple effect on rivalries like this one - it all stems from USC’s decision to leave the Pac-12.
That choice, made by former athletic director Mike Bohn, was about long-term stability and revenue. But it came with a cost.
Now, the Trojans are juggling a brutal Big Ten schedule with playoff ambitions. And according to USC head coach Lincoln Riley’s previous comments, the Notre Dame game was seen as a potential obstacle in that pursuit.
But here’s the thing: great programs don’t shy away from challenges. They embrace them. That’s what made this rivalry special in the first place - two powerhouse programs, no conference ties, just pure competition.
A Trojan Legend Speaks Out
Keyshawn Johnson, one of USC’s most passionate and recognizable alumni, didn’t hold back. In a video message posted Monday, the former All-American wide receiver lit into the program’s leadership.
“I don’t know what the F is going on with our athletic department,” Johnson said. “We got people in there that are not Trojans, that don’t know anything about being a Trojan, running our athletic department.
We got a head coach that knows nothing about being a Trojan. Why don’t we just not play football?
How about that?”
Johnson’s frustration wasn’t just about the rivalry. It was about identity.
About what it means to be a Trojan. About the pride in facing your toughest opponent, year after year, no matter the stakes.
“We’re not gonna play Notre Dame again, possibly till 2030? That doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “I grew up on the Notre Dame-USC rivalry.”
And then came the dagger:
“If I can remember correctly, I had Lincoln Riley talking about, ‘Well, I don’t know if I wanna play them in the future.’ You ain’t gonna be here in the future, especially if you keep missing the playoffs.”
That’s the heart of the issue. If USC is backing away from Notre Dame to boost its playoff odds, it’s not just abandoning a rivalry - it’s sending a message that winning matters more than competing.
The Bigger Picture
Since 2010, USC is just 4-11 against Notre Dame. Under Riley, the Trojans have dropped three of four, including a 34-24 loss this past October in South Bend.
Win that game, finish 10-2, and maybe the playoff picture looks different. But they didn’t.
So instead of rising to the challenge, USC is stepping away. That doesn’t feel like the Trojan way.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has already filled the gap with a home-and-home series against BYU over the next two years. And USC?
Let’s hope they don’t use that Week Zero slot to schedule a cupcake like Sacramento State or UC Davis. That would only deepen the frustration.
The Human Cost
This isn’t just about players and coaches. It’s about the fans, the bands, the families who’ve made this rivalry part of their lives.
One small example: a member of Notre Dame’s marching band - a student from Saint Mary’s College, a partner institution - won’t get to make the trip to the Coliseum next year. She’s one of many who’ll miss out on a tradition that’s bigger than just football.
What Now?
There’s still time to fix this. Time to get the rivalry back on track. Time to remember what made it great in the first place.
But for now, college football loses. USC and Notre Dame lose. And we all lose a little piece of what makes this sport so special.
If the goal is to make the playoff, here’s a radical idea: play better. Beat Notre Dame.
Win the games that matter. That’s what Trojans - and Fighting Irish - are supposed to do.
Until then, the Coliseum and Notre Dame Stadium will feel just a little emptier.