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The future of the USC-Notre Dame football rivalry is currently in limbo with the two sides experiencing a difference of opinion on the historic series. One team wants to lock in a long-term deal. The other is hesitant.
Lincoln Riley touched on the outlook of the matchup last summer at Big Ten media days. His commentary has become confirmation following a recent update.
The Trojans have played the Fighting Irish nearly 100 times dating back to the 1920s. Just one game remains on the future schedule, which is set to take place this coming season.
While USC associate athletic director Cody Worsham expressed a desire to continue the series, the Trojans are only willing to offer a one-year extension to play in 2026.
“We want the rivalry to continue… It’s a special game to our fans and our institution. We will continue to work with Notre Dame on scheduling future games.”
-Cody Worsham
His words do not necessarily lining up with his actions. Notre Dame is reportedly interested in securing a longer deal that locks future meetings into upcoming schedules. USC isn’t biting.
The reasoning? College Football Playoff implications. Lincoln Riley said as much last year.
“I would love to continue the series. I know it means a lot… Now, if you get into a position where you’ve got to make a decision on what’s best for SC to help us win a national championship versus keeping [the rivalry], shoot, then you’ve got to look at it.
“There have been a lot of other teams to sacrifice rivalry games… As we get into this playoff structure, and if it changes or not, we’re in this new conference, we’re going to learn about this as we go and the right and best track to winning a national championship, that’s going to evolve.”
-Lincoln Riley
Riley doesn’t want losses to Notre Dame to impact his program’s postseason outlook. He doesn’t seem all that interested in the flip side given USC’s new Big Ten affiliation.
The schedule is already difficult enough to navigate. In his mind, adding the Irish can only hurt. There is no upside!
Lincoln Riley has tried to skirt competition in the past.
A cloud of cowardice has followed the football coach dating back to his move from Oklahoma to USC. Many believed a step down in competition was the reason he moved onto Los Angeles. It was speculated that he left the Sooners before choosing the Trojans over a job at LSU in order to avoid the SEC altogether.
“I will tell you, without reservation, every coach that we talked to was excited [about our move to the SEC]. And you know what, the ones that weren’t aren’t here anymore.”
-Oklahoma AD Joe Castiglione
Riley then later tried to have a meeting with the Tigers scrubbed from the 2024 slate. Had he been successful, it would’ve cost his team a statement win.
USC football’s win total has decreased each season under Lincoln Riley’s leadership. He’s doing everything in his power to avoid scheduling any more potential losses.
He won’t be able to outrun the claims of cowardice following the latest reports on the Notre Dame series. We’ll see if the two sides can reach an agreement in the near future.