Notre Dame vs. USC is officially on hiatus as two sides fail to reach extension. The 97th game in the historic rivalry won’t be happening next season.
After months of stalled talks, USC and Notre Dame will be playing different opponents in 2026.
Will Backus (cbssports.com)— USC and Notre Dame failed to reach an agreement on playing one another during the 2026 season, placing the future of the greatest intersectional annual rivalry game in jeopardy, per Yahoo Sports. USC seeks a replacement opponent while Notre Dame announced a home-and-home series with BYU to take place from 2026-27.
The two universities are still working to restart the series as soon as 2030, though scheduling complications remain a major factor and College Football Playoff considerations put one of college football’s most storied rivalries in jeopardy. The Fighting Irish and the Trojans played yearly since 1926, though the feud saw brief pauses during WWII and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“USC and Notre Dame recognize how special our rivalry is to our fans, our teams, and college football, and our institutions will continue working towards bringing back The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh,” the schools said in a joint statement they released Monday. “The rivalry between our two schools is one of the best in all of sport, and we look forward to meeting again in the future.”
“I think Southern Cal and Notre Dame should play every year for as long as college football is played, and SC knows that’s how we feel,” Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua told Sports Illustrated in May.
USC coachLincoln Riley, meanwhile, cast doubt on the future of the game. “There are some changes that we’ve all just gotta accept, because it’s just part of it right now,” said Riley.
Yahoo reports that Notre Dame and USC were on the verge of finalizing a two-year extension in November. But USC officials backed off due to the delayed timing of the proposed game, which USC feels is punitive and unfair given the extra non- conference cross country travel involved and the CFP selection committee’s tendency to emphasize late-season losses. USC wanted to play the game in September every year, a contrast from playing in South Bend in October and Los Angeles in November. Notre Dame refused to bend.
USC also has to deal with the rigors of a travel-heavy, multiple time zone Big Ten schedule that sees it play nine conference games on a yearly basis. The Trojans faced three ranked opponents during their 2025 Big Ten slate, while Notre Dame has much greater flexibility of scheduling as an independent outside of its agreement with the ACC.
“USC is the only team in the Big Ten to play a nonconference road game after Week 4 in either of the past two seasons,” USC AD Jen Cohen said. “USC is also the only team to play a nonconference game after Week 4 in both seasons.”
Notre Dame won three consecutive games, and seven of its last eight, against USC. The Fighting Irish also hold an all-time series record of 51-37-5.
Bye, Bye USC/ND …
USC’s 2026 football schedule features non-conference home games against Fresno State and Louisiana. The Trojans now need to add another non-conference game for next season. USC’s Big Ten schedule includes home games against Maryland, Ohio State, Oregon and Washington. Road trips are to Indiana, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA and Wisconsin. No dates have been set for the conference games at this point.
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Notre Dame’s Big Vacation Colin Cowherd on Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule — “It’s pathetic. Basically, if this was your class load in college, you’d be taking Home Ec three times, Gym Class twice, and Wood Shop four times. It’s brutal. I can’t believe Notre Dame didn’t add Baking to their class schedule. “Look at USC’s schedule, where they have to play Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, at Penn State, at Indiana, now a power, and their rival at UCLA. If that was your course load, that would be Trigonometry, Physics, and Chemistry twice. Notre Dame’s schedule is nonsense. “As far as… Read more »
Due to the hit & miss performances outcome of Riley’s choices in past Portals, maybe some attention should be put in whom Indiana HC Kurt Cignetti is targeting in what is very obvious he has a superior eye than Riley on the right choices.
The pressure is really on Lincoln Riley now. More than ever, if that’s possible. I have no idea how much he really wanted to continue to play Notre Dame every year. The Irish are 3-1 vs LR at USC. Lots of people who followed him when he was at OU said he split for USC because he didn’t want to play in the more rigorous SEC. I wouldn’t know. I just never kept track of OU that closely. In any case, it looks to many in the public like USC intentionally dropped ND to forge a more promising path to… Read more »
I agree Allen. Even if it was as much NDs refusal to change the rivalry game schedule, Riley will be blamed mostly for “running away” from a tough out of conference rivalry. He & Jen need to find at least a formidable replacement and not another easy win. What works in Norman doesn’t work here.
“So USC led the effort to abandon the Pac-12 for the Big 10 knowing about the travel distances for that conference. And now, they’re bailing out of a classic rivalry series because of the choice they made by switching conferences — a rivalry series the other team wants to keep active.
Although far from someone in the inner circle….. It appears to me that the pac forced USC to leave due to their adherence to equality. Washington St and the other dwarfs wanted approximately the same payout as USC…..and the pool was smaller than the other conferences to begin with. Economic suicide for USC in attempting to retain a national program. As far as leaving ND……ND is correct….the change is driven by BIG membership……but…..if they were of sane mind they would have joined the BIG with USC and as a reward for joining retained the USC game. Imagine the BIG payout… Read more »
Unfortunately, the way things stand now, I don’t think Notre Dame “needs” to do anything.
They are the most powerful program in America, regardless of not winning a national title in forever. That’s why they have their own network TV station, share nothing, and get away with being independent and still exploiting the ACC as a massive backstop to keep their schedule full the way they choose.
Who else has anything like Touchdown Jesus, the Four Horsemen, Rudy and Knute Rockne? Just joking, but not really. JMHO.
I hear you……..other considerations…. Unless ND signs another major power for 26…..if I were a voter I would not rank them top 12 unless they were unbeaten. Miami and a shaky BYU and a bunch of second tier and worse. Can they get one of the power teams in the SEC or BIG to sign…..we’ll see. In addition…..NBC ratings this year for ND games stunk compared to Fox and CBS. How long will NBC pay them 50 million (2030 contract ends). IMO that will end badly. The 50 million is already not competitive. As for the rest…..ask recruits or most… Read more »
Unfortunately for USC, we’re on another one of our bad losing streaks to ND. We’ve lost eight of the last 10, and often it hasn’t been close. It’s a poor time for USC to end the series now because we look like we have our tail between our legs. JMHO. I don’t really care about whether ND is independent or in a conference. That’s their biz, and I don’t believe they’re going to give up their treasured independence anytime soon. If it wasn’t working for them, they could quickly join any conference they wanted and get the royal welcome with… Read more »
You know……I wonder if we had a great coach…….could most of what you’ve written be said about us.
I agree that USC has not communicated its case very well.
And what if other power teams refuse to schedule them for the same reasons USC is….they effectively get frozen out of meaningfully competitive games. It’s a realistic scenario because the power teams don’t need the money ND might offer, and surely don’t need another risky game to add to their loaded conference schedules (9 games now). As you point out, how long does NBC continue to fork out for poor ratings and games between ND and Whobe U? If all they care about is making the playoffs, then OK, they’ll get that starting next year. But unless they start having… Read more »
Good post……and I don’t appreciate the doomers but I do respect what Freeman has built and would like him to have a chance to show what he can do. If we could snap him up……I’d have to say that would be great….unfortunately every college and pro program probably feels the same.
Unless ND is greedy in wanting more money anyway, with what you say the Domers are in good shape with their arrangements, why are they putting up such a stink on being left out of the playoffs? I know what the answer is but there needs to be a way the Big Two forces ND out of playoff consideration if they won’t play ball evenly with their easy scheduling.
What if the Big Two said ND had to play 4 SEC teams and 5 B1G teams each year (alternating 5 SEC and 4 B1G) and are free to pad out their remaining games, or else they will not qualify for a top 8 seeding under any circumstances in a future playoff format? This way, ND’s schedule would simulate a conference schedule comparable to the Big Two schedules.
Notre Dame says ” anytime, anywhere,” we just want to play SC. Then SC tells them the game must be played in September, and then the Irish. won’t sign the contract. It’s obvious that Notre Dame wants to continue the series, but on their terms only. They are the one who truly walked away. And Keyshawn Johnson is a Knucklehead, who should shut up, but won’t.
I couldn’t care less who walked away. To quote Kenny Rogers, “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealing’s done“. There’s a time to stand firm and there’s a time to walk away. ND has 55 four stars on their 2025 roster. We had 39. That’s a huge amount of quality depth. As long as they have that qualitative edge they will continue to beat… Read more »
It’s certainly true that the “dealing isn’t done” yet as this brutal scheduling scenario has unfolded so far. Thankfully, even the glory hog SEC will now be playing nine conference games going forward.
It could/will take quite a while for this to all play out.
The question now becomes, who replaces ND on our schedule, both short and long term?
Ive been bouncing around national sports media since the announcement we no longer have a Notre Dame series. We are definitely taking it on the chin opinion-wise. This too will pass. One negative I’ve noticed for Notre Dame is the average sports fan ( not us here) reading the media on this issue, subsequently takes a peek at ND’s 2026 schedule. Mixed into the negative comments on USC, there’s quite a few comments on the audacity of ND to have such a pathetic schedule. Some used words like corrupt when mentioning ND’s “negotiation” with CFB to literally guarantee a playoff… Read more »
Since it’s inception the Rivalry has been played to Notre Dame’s advantage. It took several years to adjust the meeting back east out of the snow season. They played games with the field uncut to slow the faster Trojans. They played game with refs sanctioned by the arch bishop. They cried like a banshee when they claimed the “bush push” was illegal (it wasn’t).
This hiatus smells like Nuter Dame just wanted their way again. Let them take their ball and go home. Nutty Dame isn’t the national news it once was. This is another dent in the dome.
Now that USC/ND is at least temporarily no more … USC needs to return to tradition. Jen Cohen should call Stanford and Cal today. Ethan Inman (Trojans Wire) — Renewing the Stanford rivalry, especially, would soften the blow of losing the Notre Dame rivalry for Trojan fans. It was never as nationally relevant of a rivalry as USC-ND, but the Trojans have played the Cardinal more times than they have played Notre Dame. USC must show that it still cares about tradition. Fans and donors should speak out and advocate for a renewal of either USC-Stanford or USC-Cal and the Weekender for the next… Read more »
I’d go for it too. And I’d also be good with mixing in CAL if STAN isn’t good for it all the time. Things change. When we left STAN and CAL behind by joining the B1G, I figured screw ’em. They were both totally exuberant when the corrupt NCAA tried to end our program over Reggie Bush. Jealousy knew no bounds. But as we all know, things change. Substituting CAL or STAN now for misbehaving and desperate ND is something I’m very good with, and I hope it happens. At least STAN and CAL can fill their stadiums once a… Read more »
“ALA opens up as a 7-point underdog in the Rose Bowl vs IU, the largest dog the Crimson Tide have been since the 2008 SEC Championship vs UF (10-points).”
I am fine with the ND hiatus, and I do think it will be a hiatus, not a permanent condition. I am even fine with ND riding a fraudulent schedule to skate into the playoff. When they get there, they will get absolutely paved over by whatever legitimate playoff team they run into. ND playoff history is even more embarrassing than ND’s bowl results since their last Natty in ’93. This year is equally if not more embarrassing, shutting down the whole thing in a whine-fest. I honestly don’t know what they play for over there. Anyway, as a team… Read more »
I should add that, outside of Miami, in 2026 ND plays 11 teams that averaged 5 wins this year. Eight of the teams ND will play didn’t pass 5 wins this season or become bowl eligible. Navy is skewing the average with 10 wins, but it filled up on wins against competition along the lines of Florida Atlantic. I actually feel sorry for ND fans that this is what they are going to crowd into that stadium to see next year.
Here’s Kwiatkowski’s record based on how his defenses(as a DC) finished nationally in total defense. 2011 14th 2012….12th 2013….73rd 2014….59th 2015….28th 2016….11th 2017….9th 2018….10th 2019….33rd 2020….25th 2021….96th 2022….44th 2023….28th 2024….4th 2025….29th So in the last 14 years, he’s been 33rd or better 10 times. He’s been 44th or worst 4 times. That’s not bad at all. He’s been 14th or better 5 times.That isn’t bad. If we can find someone better, I’d say go for it. But if not, this guy has a really good record. Plus, he’s been a DC 23 years whereas Lynn has only been a DC 3… Read more »
K also develops linemen……and we need to develop folks unless we are going to compete with the folks like Oregon and O State for the huge dollar players.
The sudden availability of highly-regarded, and smiling Pete Kwiatkowski really worked to USC’s benefit, obviously. I might flat out take him over D’Anton Lynn anyway — since Lynn can’t seem to get PSU off his mind. If Lynn sticks with USC, for all we know Kwiatkowski could end up at PSU. Musical chairs at its finest!
Well…..as much as I’d like to add to my pile of anti Riley posts…….I can’t. In the new world where USC has to play Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Rutgers, UCLA and another unnamed program in one year the OOC has to be a little softer. Three loss teams (unless you are in the crooked SEC) do not make the playoffs…..and that is a the first step goal. Winning the BIG means very little….it’s how you do in the playoffs. Plainly…..No playoff years for programs like USC are a failure. Some folks may disagree and claim a 9-3… Read more »
Does defense really win championships? For some reason, I like to think so.
We’re gonna find out whether that still holds true when the defensively terrific ‘Canes meet the high-scoring Buckeyes (35 PPG) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, at 4:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Like I said before…..11 of the last 25 NC’s have finished #1 in total defense. Seventeen of the last 25 NC’s have finished in the top 10 in total defense. 22 out of the last 25 NC’s have finished in the top 25 in total defense.
I draw the line at this move by SC’s Cohen and Riley. The biggest tradition has, the one that put both schools in prominence in college athletics, is now history. With NIL and free agency and soaring coaches salaries, college football is now in out rear view mirror. Enter now is another level of professional football, with little or no real ties to the institutions that sponsor it (see transfer), certainly no academic aspects for the majority of players, and, of course, dwindling support by student bodies and alumni (somewhat offset by “fans” who never attended a D1 university. At… Read more »
I think your take is completely wrong.The way the series is scheduled now greatly works to Notre Dame’s advantage.Especially with them not being in a conference. Do you think the Buckeyes would agree to play the Irish one week after they play Michigan? Do you Miami would play Notre Dame in October, during the middle of conference games? Would Texas agree to play Oklahoma and A&M back to back? None of these schools do, but because of tradition, you think SC should not makes waves and accept being screwed. Notre Dame was offered a contract to continue the series, with… Read more »
I do think Riley is a p**ssy and would love to have a Big 12 schedule again, but I think Cohen was right to stand her ground here. Miami will be ND’s one chance for a signature win. Their schedule beyond MIA will be a frigging joke. So in 2026, they could lose to Miami, run the table against the average and sub-average teams on their schedule and finish 11-1 and be in the top 12 because they are ND. Another playoff season for ND. This will tick off many in the CFB world. And the ACC is a basketball… Read more »
That simply won’t be allowed as the CFP process is being changed. So, after all is said and done college football has lost it’s most historic and valuable marquee rivalry. And you would be happy with that?
I am reminded of the famous John Mackay quote “…we will play anyone, anywhere, anytime”. Then he added that he would send SC’s playbook to any competitor that requested it.
That was big boy football, LR and Cohen aren’t in that league and don’t represent the heritage of SC!
Mr.Tirebitter, IMO, you are right on with every one of your sentences’ assertions. I don’t know enough to comment on your contention in the final sentence. I write as an Old School former jock who played fb for a team in the defunct Western Athletic Conference, as a scholarship athlete. My receiving a full ride scholarship to a division 1 university plus… receiving $15 a month to do laundry was a really big deal. I lettered all three years; frosh were not playing varsity in those days. College fb is strictly a “me first” professional sport today for aspiring professional… Read more »
I do think the rivalry will occur from time to time, maybe eventually resume, but there are a lot of things that could change that would dictate it, like ND’s playoff guarantee, an expanded playoff field, etc.
ND is feeling the pressure of not belonging to a conference that has finally affected its once ability to play in a major bowl or BCS just because it was their name. I hope the ACC gets fed up with the Irish wanting its cake & eat it too just borrowing a conference name for their own benefit. I believe any other conference ND tries to use a conference will be told to get lost. The playoff, which ND agreed to, will penalize any program that doesn’t measure up to conference play.
ND’s schedule next year is pitiful. They play MIA and the 11 dwarves, 10 dwarves if you think BYU is worthy.
They will get into the playoffs with their 2026 special playoff arrangement in all likelihood.
Too bad our series with the Irish has been put on hiatus. But they backed USC into a corner and basically told USC to shove it. I don’t see how you can look at it any other way, but I need to read some ND takes on the matter.
According to a well placed source, the Irish said no to moving the game to September. So I blame them, despite their mantra of playing SC anywhere, anytime
I wish we could schedule the game as the third OOC game each season. I think the stubbornness of ND is awful: ND getting the secret guarantee starting next season that ND is in the playoffs. ND quitting on their bowl game because they got screwed out of the playoff. They did get screwed, but nobody thought that their quitting was a worthy response. Finally, cancelling the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football after nearly a century because of ND not wanting to play the game early in the season, is ridiculous. Strike three, yer out! ND is blowing a… Read more »
BYU is their last minute attempt to fill the schedule out. I believe it is the best they could get and likely sent feelers out to other power teams, who all said no. BYU is no power school and is a consolation prize at best, because they sure aren’t in the same league as USC. With their cream puff schedule next year and their “special inclusion clause”, how can they NOT be ranked in the top 12.
After months of stalled talks, USC and Notre Dame will be playing different opponents in 2026.
“USC and Notre Dame recognize how special our rivalry is to our fans, our teams, and college football, and our institutions will continue working towards bringing back The Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh,” the schools said in a joint statement they released Monday. “The rivalry between our two schools is one of the best in all of sport, and we look forward to meeting again in the future.”
Yahoo reports that Notre Dame and USC were on the verge of finalizing a two-year extension in November. But USC officials backed off due to the delayed timing of the proposed game, which USC feels is punitive and unfair given the extra non- conference cross country travel involved and the CFP selection committee’s tendency to emphasize late-season losses. USC wanted to play the game in September every year, a contrast from playing in South Bend in October and Los Angeles in November. Notre Dame refused to bend.
Notre Dame’s Big Vacation Colin Cowherd on Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule — “It’s pathetic. Basically, if this was your class load in college, you’d be taking Home Ec three times, Gym Class twice, and Wood Shop four times. It’s brutal. I can’t believe Notre Dame didn’t add Baking to their class schedule. “Look at USC’s schedule, where they have to play Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, at Penn State, at Indiana, now a power, and their rival at UCLA. If that was your course load, that would be Trigonometry, Physics, and Chemistry twice. Notre Dame’s schedule is nonsense. “As far as… Read more »
Go Colin…..the truth hits hard. Unless they are unbeaten and win each game by no less than 14……let them sit.
Four USC alums are headed to the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl!
Congratulations to Sam Darnold, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tuli Tuipulotu and Leonard Williams!
Due to the hit & miss performances outcome of Riley’s choices in past Portals, maybe some attention should be put in whom Indiana HC Kurt Cignetti is targeting in what is very obvious he has a superior eye than Riley on the right choices.
The pressure is really on Lincoln Riley now. More than ever, if that’s possible. I have no idea how much he really wanted to continue to play Notre Dame every year. The Irish are 3-1 vs LR at USC. Lots of people who followed him when he was at OU said he split for USC because he didn’t want to play in the more rigorous SEC. I wouldn’t know. I just never kept track of OU that closely. In any case, it looks to many in the public like USC intentionally dropped ND to forge a more promising path to… Read more »
I agree Allen. Even if it was as much NDs refusal to change the rivalry game schedule, Riley will be blamed mostly for “running away” from a tough out of conference rivalry. He & Jen need to find at least a formidable replacement and not another easy win. What works in Norman doesn’t work here.
One of Notre Dame’s arguments:
“So USC led the effort to abandon the Pac-12 for the Big 10 knowing about the travel distances for that conference. And now, they’re bailing out of a classic rivalry series because of the choice they made by switching conferences — a rivalry series the other team wants to keep active.
“This is 100% USC’s fault.”
Although far from someone in the inner circle….. It appears to me that the pac forced USC to leave due to their adherence to equality. Washington St and the other dwarfs wanted approximately the same payout as USC…..and the pool was smaller than the other conferences to begin with. Economic suicide for USC in attempting to retain a national program. As far as leaving ND……ND is correct….the change is driven by BIG membership……but…..if they were of sane mind they would have joined the BIG with USC and as a reward for joining retained the USC game. Imagine the BIG payout… Read more »
Unfortunately, the way things stand now, I don’t think Notre Dame “needs” to do anything.
They are the most powerful program in America, regardless of not winning a national title in forever. That’s why they have their own network TV station, share nothing, and get away with being independent and still exploiting the ACC as a massive backstop to keep their schedule full the way they choose.
Who else has anything like Touchdown Jesus, the Four Horsemen, Rudy and Knute Rockne? Just joking, but not really. JMHO.
I hear you……..other considerations…. Unless ND signs another major power for 26…..if I were a voter I would not rank them top 12 unless they were unbeaten. Miami and a shaky BYU and a bunch of second tier and worse. Can they get one of the power teams in the SEC or BIG to sign…..we’ll see. In addition…..NBC ratings this year for ND games stunk compared to Fox and CBS. How long will NBC pay them 50 million (2030 contract ends). IMO that will end badly. The 50 million is already not competitive. As for the rest…..ask recruits or most… Read more »
Unfortunately for USC, we’re on another one of our bad losing streaks to ND. We’ve lost eight of the last 10, and often it hasn’t been close. It’s a poor time for USC to end the series now because we look like we have our tail between our legs. JMHO. I don’t really care about whether ND is independent or in a conference. That’s their biz, and I don’t believe they’re going to give up their treasured independence anytime soon. If it wasn’t working for them, they could quickly join any conference they wanted and get the royal welcome with… Read more »
You know……I wonder if we had a great coach…….could most of what you’ve written be said about us.
I agree that USC has not communicated its case very well.
Hopefully, LR will become a great coach. He’s got plenty of time to improve.
And what if other power teams refuse to schedule them for the same reasons USC is….they effectively get frozen out of meaningfully competitive games. It’s a realistic scenario because the power teams don’t need the money ND might offer, and surely don’t need another risky game to add to their loaded conference schedules (9 games now). As you point out, how long does NBC continue to fork out for poor ratings and games between ND and Whobe U? If all they care about is making the playoffs, then OK, they’ll get that starting next year. But unless they start having… Read more »
Good post……and I don’t appreciate the doomers but I do respect what Freeman has built and would like him to have a chance to show what he can do. If we could snap him up……I’d have to say that would be great….unfortunately every college and pro program probably feels the same.
Unless ND is greedy in wanting more money anyway, with what you say the Domers are in good shape with their arrangements, why are they putting up such a stink on being left out of the playoffs? I know what the answer is but there needs to be a way the Big Two forces ND out of playoff consideration if they won’t play ball evenly with their easy scheduling.
What if the Big Two said ND had to play 4 SEC teams and 5 B1G teams each year (alternating 5 SEC and 4 B1G) and are free to pad out their remaining games, or else they will not qualify for a top 8 seeding under any circumstances in a future playoff format? This way, ND’s schedule would simulate a conference schedule comparable to the Big Two schedules.
Notre Dame says ” anytime, anywhere,” we just want to play SC. Then SC tells them the game must be played in September, and then the Irish. won’t sign the contract. It’s obvious that Notre Dame wants to continue the series, but on their terms only. They are the one who truly walked away. And Keyshawn Johnson is a Knucklehead, who should shut up, but won’t.
I couldn’t care less who walked away. To quote Kenny Rogers, “You got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em Know when to walk away and know when to run You never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealing’s done“. There’s a time to stand firm and there’s a time to walk away. ND has 55 four stars on their 2025 roster. We had 39. That’s a huge amount of quality depth. As long as they have that qualitative edge they will continue to beat… Read more »
It’s certainly true that the “dealing isn’t done” yet as this brutal scheduling scenario has unfolded so far. Thankfully, even the glory hog SEC will now be playing nine conference games going forward.
It could/will take quite a while for this to all play out.
The question now becomes, who replaces ND on our schedule, both short and long term?
Who replaces ND? I already told you……Po-Dunk U in southwest nowhere…….Actually, let’s just get somebody that we can beat.
Your comment is funny. And it is on target.
Ive been bouncing around national sports media since the announcement we no longer have a Notre Dame series. We are definitely taking it on the chin opinion-wise. This too will pass. One negative I’ve noticed for Notre Dame is the average sports fan ( not us here) reading the media on this issue, subsequently takes a peek at ND’s 2026 schedule. Mixed into the negative comments on USC, there’s quite a few comments on the audacity of ND to have such a pathetic schedule. Some used words like corrupt when mentioning ND’s “negotiation” with CFB to literally guarantee a playoff… Read more »
Since it’s inception the Rivalry has been played to Notre Dame’s advantage. It took several years to adjust the meeting back east out of the snow season. They played games with the field uncut to slow the faster Trojans. They played game with refs sanctioned by the arch bishop. They cried like a banshee when they claimed the “bush push” was illegal (it wasn’t).
This hiatus smells like Nuter Dame just wanted their way again. Let them take their ball and go home. Nutty Dame isn’t the national news it once was. This is another dent in the dome.
ND vs USC cancellation: This is NOT a little white sin…this is a MORTAL sin.
Now that USC/ND is at least temporarily no more … USC needs to return to tradition. Jen Cohen should call Stanford and Cal today. Ethan Inman (Trojans Wire) — Renewing the Stanford rivalry, especially, would soften the blow of losing the Notre Dame rivalry for Trojan fans. It was never as nationally relevant of a rivalry as USC-ND, but the Trojans have played the Cardinal more times than they have played Notre Dame. USC must show that it still cares about tradition. Fans and donors should speak out and advocate for a renewal of either USC-Stanford or USC-Cal and the Weekender for the next… Read more »
Playing Stanford(home and home) sounds like a great idea.
I’d go for it too. And I’d also be good with mixing in CAL if STAN isn’t good for it all the time. Things change. When we left STAN and CAL behind by joining the B1G, I figured screw ’em. They were both totally exuberant when the corrupt NCAA tried to end our program over Reggie Bush. Jealousy knew no bounds. But as we all know, things change. Substituting CAL or STAN now for misbehaving and desperate ND is something I’m very good with, and I hope it happens. At least STAN and CAL can fill their stadiums once a… Read more »
“ALA opens up as a 7-point underdog in the Rose Bowl vs IU, the largest dog the Crimson Tide have been since the 2008 SEC Championship vs UF (10-points).”
I am fine with the ND hiatus, and I do think it will be a hiatus, not a permanent condition. I am even fine with ND riding a fraudulent schedule to skate into the playoff. When they get there, they will get absolutely paved over by whatever legitimate playoff team they run into. ND playoff history is even more embarrassing than ND’s bowl results since their last Natty in ’93. This year is equally if not more embarrassing, shutting down the whole thing in a whine-fest. I honestly don’t know what they play for over there. Anyway, as a team… Read more »
Yep!
I should add that, outside of Miami, in 2026 ND plays 11 teams that averaged 5 wins this year. Eight of the teams ND will play didn’t pass 5 wins this season or become bowl eligible. Navy is skewing the average with 10 wins, but it filled up on wins against competition along the lines of Florida Atlantic. I actually feel sorry for ND fans that this is what they are going to crowd into that stadium to see next year.
Here’s Kwiatkowski’s record based on how his defenses(as a DC) finished nationally in total defense. 2011 14th 2012….12th 2013….73rd 2014….59th 2015….28th 2016….11th 2017….9th 2018….10th 2019….33rd 2020….25th 2021….96th 2022….44th 2023….28th 2024….4th 2025….29th So in the last 14 years, he’s been 33rd or better 10 times. He’s been 44th or worst 4 times. That’s not bad at all. He’s been 14th or better 5 times.That isn’t bad. If we can find someone better, I’d say go for it. But if not, this guy has a really good record. Plus, he’s been a DC 23 years whereas Lynn has only been a DC 3… Read more »
K also develops linemen……and we need to develop folks unless we are going to compete with the folks like Oregon and O State for the huge dollar players.
I still say get the best man but I wouldn’t be disapointed if the best man turned out to be PK.
The sudden availability of highly-regarded, and smiling Pete Kwiatkowski really worked to USC’s benefit, obviously. I might flat out take him over D’Anton Lynn anyway — since Lynn can’t seem to get PSU off his mind. If Lynn sticks with USC, for all we know Kwiatkowski could end up at PSU. Musical chairs at its finest!
Well, this is just tragic. I thought ND would have come to it’s senses. They need us more for their strength of schedule than we need them.
Well…..as much as I’d like to add to my pile of anti Riley posts…….I can’t. In the new world where USC has to play Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Wisconsin, Rutgers, UCLA and another unnamed program in one year the OOC has to be a little softer. Three loss teams (unless you are in the crooked SEC) do not make the playoffs…..and that is a the first step goal. Winning the BIG means very little….it’s how you do in the playoffs. Plainly…..No playoff years for programs like USC are a failure. Some folks may disagree and claim a 9-3… Read more »
Does defense really win championships? For some reason, I like to think so.
We’re gonna find out whether that still holds true when the defensively terrific ‘Canes meet the high-scoring Buckeyes (35 PPG) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31, at 4:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Like I said before…..11 of the last 25 NC’s have finished #1 in total defense. Seventeen of the last 25 NC’s have finished in the top 10 in total defense. 22 out of the last 25 NC’s have finished in the top 25 in total defense.
If not absolutely, then it is absolutely true that a lousy defense will lose championships.
See: Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma, USC
I draw the line at this move by SC’s Cohen and Riley. The biggest tradition has, the one that put both schools in prominence in college athletics, is now history. With NIL and free agency and soaring coaches salaries, college football is now in out rear view mirror. Enter now is another level of professional football, with little or no real ties to the institutions that sponsor it (see transfer), certainly no academic aspects for the majority of players, and, of course, dwindling support by student bodies and alumni (somewhat offset by “fans” who never attended a D1 university. At… Read more »
I think your take is completely wrong.The way the series is scheduled now greatly works to Notre Dame’s advantage.Especially with them not being in a conference. Do you think the Buckeyes would agree to play the Irish one week after they play Michigan? Do you Miami would play Notre Dame in October, during the middle of conference games? Would Texas agree to play Oklahoma and A&M back to back? None of these schools do, but because of tradition, you think SC should not makes waves and accept being screwed. Notre Dame was offered a contract to continue the series, with… Read more »
I do think Riley is a p**ssy and would love to have a Big 12 schedule again, but I think Cohen was right to stand her ground here. Miami will be ND’s one chance for a signature win. Their schedule beyond MIA will be a frigging joke. So in 2026, they could lose to Miami, run the table against the average and sub-average teams on their schedule and finish 11-1 and be in the top 12 because they are ND. Another playoff season for ND. This will tick off many in the CFB world. And the ACC is a basketball… Read more »
That simply won’t be allowed as the CFP process is being changed. So, after all is said and done college football has lost it’s most historic and valuable marquee rivalry. And you would be happy with that?
I am reminded of the famous John Mackay quote “…we will play anyone, anywhere, anytime”. Then he added that he would send SC’s playbook to any competitor that requested it.
That was big boy football, LR and Cohen aren’t in that league and don’t represent the heritage of SC!
Mr.Tirebitter, IMO, you are right on with every one of your sentences’ assertions. I don’t know enough to comment on your contention in the final sentence. I write as an Old School former jock who played fb for a team in the defunct Western Athletic Conference, as a scholarship athlete. My receiving a full ride scholarship to a division 1 university plus… receiving $15 a month to do laundry was a really big deal. I lettered all three years; frosh were not playing varsity in those days. College fb is strictly a “me first” professional sport today for aspiring professional… Read more »
I do think the rivalry will occur from time to time, maybe eventually resume, but there are a lot of things that could change that would dictate it, like ND’s playoff guarantee, an expanded playoff field, etc.
ND is feeling the pressure of not belonging to a conference that has finally affected its once ability to play in a major bowl or BCS just because it was their name. I hope the ACC gets fed up with the Irish wanting its cake & eat it too just borrowing a conference name for their own benefit. I believe any other conference ND tries to use a conference will be told to get lost. The playoff, which ND agreed to, will penalize any program that doesn’t measure up to conference play.
ND’s schedule next year is pitiful. They play MIA and the 11 dwarves, 10 dwarves if you think BYU is worthy.
They will get into the playoffs with their 2026 special playoff arrangement in all likelihood.
Too bad our series with the Irish has been put on hiatus. But they backed USC into a corner and basically told USC to shove it. I don’t see how you can look at it any other way, but I need to read some ND takes on the matter.
According to a well placed source, the Irish said no to moving the game to September. So I blame them, despite their mantra of playing SC anywhere, anytime
I wish we could schedule the game as the third OOC game each season. I think the stubbornness of ND is awful: ND getting the secret guarantee starting next season that ND is in the playoffs. ND quitting on their bowl game because they got screwed out of the playoff. They did get screwed, but nobody thought that their quitting was a worthy response. Finally, cancelling the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football after nearly a century because of ND not wanting to play the game early in the season, is ridiculous. Strike three, yer out! ND is blowing a… Read more »
BYU is their last minute attempt to fill the schedule out. I believe it is the best they could get and likely sent feelers out to other power teams, who all said no. BYU is no power school and is a consolation prize at best, because they sure aren’t in the same league as USC. With their cream puff schedule next year and their “special inclusion clause”, how can they NOT be ranked in the top 12.
Hope you’re right.