The USC-Notre Dame rivalry, one of college football’s most iconic matchups, is hitting pause - and Lincoln Riley isn’t exactly thrilled about it.
Speaking ahead of the Trojans' appearance in the 2025 Valero Alamo Bowl, Riley addressed the end of the annual clash between USC and Notre Dame, at least for the next couple of seasons. And he didn’t mince words.
“I think everybody knows how I feel about the game,” Riley said. “One of my first thoughts when I took the USC job was, ‘I get to be part of this rivalry.’”
And that’s not just lip service. Riley’s a coach who’s lived through the fire of big-time matchups - from Red River to Bedlam - and he knows what a game like USC-Notre Dame means, not just to the programs, but to the sport.
Riley explained that both schools had been working for months to keep the series alive for 2026 and 2027. According to him, USC made a proposal to extend the rivalry, and Notre Dame - despite previously saying they’d play USC “anytime, anywhere” - turned it down.
“Jenn Cohen [USC’s athletic director] went back to Notre Dame roughly a couple weeks ago with a scenario and a proposal,” Riley said. “We took Notre Dame at their word.
That proposal was rejected. Not only was it rejected, five minutes later they announced a new opponent.”
That new opponent? BYU, in a two-year series announced by Notre Dame on December 22.
Riley’s frustration is clear. This isn’t just about losing a game off the schedule - it’s about losing a tradition.
Since 1926, USC and Notre Dame have squared off almost every year, with only four exceptions: three during World War II (1943-1945) and one in 2020 due to COVID-19-related scheduling changes. That’s nearly a century of history, pageantry, and unforgettable moments.
And the numbers back it up. The Trojans and Irish have combined for 24 national championships, 15 Heisman Trophies, and over 1,000 NFL draftees. These are two of the sport’s true bluebloods, and their annual meeting has long been a showcase of both tradition and talent.
USC trails the all-time series 37-53-5, and Riley himself is 1-3 against Notre Dame since taking over in 2022. His lone win came in his debut season, a 38-27 victory at the Coliseum.
But the last two meetings have been rough sledding. In 2023, USC got thumped 48-20 in South Bend.
In 2024, despite a strong offensive performance, they fell 49-35 at home.
Jayden Maiava, USC’s quarterback, had a big game in that last matchup - 360 yards, three touchdowns - but two late pick-sixes sealed the Trojans’ fate. And in the most recent meeting, USC actually led in the third quarter before Notre Dame pulled away for a 34-24 win.
So while the rivalry has been competitive - and often electric - in recent years, it’s now on hold. The earliest these two programs could meet again in the regular season is 2030, barring any unexpected scheduling shifts. USC still has one open non-conference slot in 2026, but there’s no requirement for them to fill it with another Power 4 opponent.
Riley made it clear that USC wants the series to continue.
“We would love for the game to continue,” he said. “We have no problem following through on our promises in the future.”
For now, though, one of college football’s most storied rivalries is off the calendar. And while schedules and alignments are always in flux these days, this one stings a little more - because it’s not just another game.
It’s USC-Notre Dame. And for at least the next few years, it’s gone.