Allen Wallace (TDB) — USC vs NOTRE DAME, streaky and all-consuming since 1926 …
However, the two bluebloods’ football contract expires after the 2025 season (or 2026, depending on the source) and they are at a prickly extension impasse. USC is seeking only a one-year extension and is worried about excess travel drain and Big Ten playoff qualifier uncertainty. Notre Dame, relatively unburdened by ACC conference play, is looking for a long-term deal.
The clock is ticking, and USC fans who are already disappointed with uber-compensated Lincoln Riley’s performance now also face the possible loss of a storied yearly matchup vs the Domers, which undoubtedly would not be taken well.
It’s Rockne vs Jones. Midwest vs West Coast. Private vs Private. South Bend vs L.A. Deep Blue vs Cardinal Red. McKay vs Parshegian.
The Bush Push, Green Jerseys, Heisman’s galore, NC’s in the balance, the huge wooden Trojan Horse in South Bend, sending off a glum, defeated Lou Holtz in his final game as ND’s coach 27-20 in OT at the
Coliseum, the 55-24 ’74 Comeback, and too many absolutely fantastic outcomes, heartbreaks, miracles, and heroes on both sides to recount over 95 total games. Each knows the other is undisputably their greatest rival.
In Marv Goux’s day, it was also always “Big Man vs Big Man“, to use his term. I still remember Goux showing up at the Sigma Chi house in the early ’70s to give us raucous pep talks before the heavily anticipated USC/ND game.
(Incidentally, I was surprisingly introduced to Goux’s daughter this weekend. She seemed joyfully inspired to know she had met yet another Trojan out there who remembered her dad as arguably the finest USC assistant coach in history. We gave each other the Fight On! sign before she graciously thanked me for my admiration of her father, McKay’s perennial right-hand man, who also had much to do with reeling in OJ Simpson for the Trojans).
As a center and LB for USC, Goux played against Notre Dame in 1952, ’54 and ’55.
“In the 1952 game, I intercepted a deflected pass and three guys hit me and nailed me to the ground,” Goux recalled. “I saw stars. I staggered off the field, but I didn’t want to show them that I was hurt. I carry my Notre Dame trophy with me everywhere I go.”
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NFL insider has ‘major concerns’ over Caleb Williams after book bombshell Dylan Svoboda (NY Post Sports) — Ross Tucker isn’t so sure about Caleb Williams. The former NFL offensive lineman turned CBS Sports analyst ripped the Bears quarterback during an appearance on the “Mully and Haugh Show” on Friday. “I have major concerns about Caleb Williams,” Tucker said. “… It feels to me, like more often than not, he does the wrong thing. This isn’t a talent thing … I feel like he either gets really bad advice or his awareness rating on Madden needs to go down like 30 points.”… Read more »
The LA Times is reporting: “Irish athletic director Pete Bevacqua not so subtly suggested that it was USC putting the rivalry at risk”. USC is waiting for the “format of the College Football Playoff” adding that: “Anything else would be ‘a strategically bad decision’ “. AD Jen Cohen would best be served inking a long-term USC-ND extension contract, and cease speculating what the CFP might or might not do. We all know Lincoln Riley wants to take this CFP off ramp “in search of a national championship”. Problem is he can’t even hold serve and win homes game in the… Read more »
Can anyone out there verify that USC-Notre Dame is only under contract until 2025? Reportedly USC “offered an extension” but some Heritage Hall stooge suggested the Domers did not accept the extension offer? Is this palaver all “click bait”? If 2025 is the last contracted contest, are negotiations in progress? While Jen Cohen may appear “smart”, the blowback from cancelling Notre Dame would forever tarnish her. We all know Lincoln Riley floated this last year in hopes of scheduling a sacrificial replacement. Replace Notre Dame and UCLA, and pretty soon we are Cal State Nowhere. How are the 2026 “4… Read more »
I’ve read and heard that the USC/ND contract is over after 2025, or 2026. There seems to be confusion about this end date. The schools are working to resolve USC’s current refusal to extend beyond one year. USC doesn’t want to end the series, but it wants to hold off on a longer extension until there is a guarantee that the B1G will send four auto qualifiers to the playoffs. I predict the series will continue. Nobody would want to hang their hat on the end of USC vs Notre Dame. Clearly, some Trojan fans don’t care that much about… Read more »
This is the first almost clear explanation of the problem I have seen. The NCAA going to a straight CFP ranking may have put some kink in plans. The power conferences do not have automatic 4 qualifiers anymore. So the national ranking becomes more important to qualify for CFP. This may imply that teams will prefer an easier schedule to get a better record to qualify for CFP. This may affect rivalry games.+
If it’s a straight seeding of the twelve teams, they take strength of schedule into account. If they drop big rivalry games, the regular season loses much of its luster. Who watches NCAA basketball in the regular season?
Best L.A. Times Sports Front Page Ever … Well, Maybe
Wow, thanks for posting this! There is so much great writing on this page.
Murray is pure genius.
#2 Bama getting upset.
A historic Bruin streak in progress.
Oats with the game summary.
And Prugh with his similes!
“Newsmen swarmed around him like mosquitoes.”
“The crush was as heavy as a New York subway at 6:00pm.”
“As Davis fielded questions again and again like a courtroom witness…”.
“Davis stood there poker-faced and gave answers more predictable than his moves with the football.”
Definitely among the best front pages ever!
I was at that game. And I remember that front page of the Times Sports section.
No one was beating that Trojan team in ‘72. The atmosphere was great, but the win was not unexpected. The ‘74 game atmosphere was otherworldly. But that front page of the sports section was something. I immediately remembered reading it first hand on Sunday morning! Thanks Allen.
That ’72 group was truly special. Like yourself, I was also at the game. It was a fantastic time to be a student at USC and I consider myself very lucky. That consensus NC 12-0 Trojan team seemed to be able to turn on its jets at will. “Everybody said I was arrogant,” Anthony Davis recalls. “I said, ‘Well, you have to be that way to run like I do.’” USC outscored its opponents 467–134 and never once trailed in the 4th quarter. Fullback Sam Cunningham and Anthony Davis embrace in the locker room after USC’s 42-17 win over OHIO… Read more »
AD scored 11 touchdowns against the Irish in three games.
For The Rose Bowl in the picture above, was that the one that McKay was hand signaling to Woody Hayes that every first and goal from within the two yard line that the ball was going to Cunningham? McKay flash an “up and over” gesture across to the opposite sideline. Woody knew what play was coming but they couldn’t stop Sam Bam. I think he scored like three times in his final SC game.
Those weee the days.
Just watched the ’74 game again. Trojans were down 24-0 in the 2nd qtr, and then everything started to click on both sides of the ball. What a come back to win 55-24.
Where’d you watch it? I definitely will put it on my to-watch during the dog days of Summer.
Wolf had it at the end of the Friday USC Notes Column.
Thanks.
One score before halftime, one score in the fourth, and the rest of SC’s scoring was in one frenetic third quarter. Remember also that in the early to mid 70’s, the offenses were not the quick scoring machine perfected in the big 12. Lightning strike scores were uncommon. The Trojans delivered an incredible quarter of lightning against ND that day in 1974.
That game made me Trojan fan for life.
The 1963 Rose Bowl won by USC 42-37 over WIS made me a Trojan fan for life.
Any other TDBers out there who remember when it clicked for them?
Sept. 26, 1981, No. 1 USC beat No. 2 OU 28-24 at the Coliseum. I don’t remember the game itself, including Mazur to Cornwell TD pass with 2 seconds left to win it. What I remember is the crowd, 85,000, the bands were massive and loud. I remember thinking, after years of watching SDSU play in mostly empty Jack Murphy Stadium, I’m in another world I never knew existed before.
CFP Bracket Reportedly to Move to ‘Straight Seeding’ Format Starting with 2025 Season
Adam Wells (B/R) — The College Football Playoff experiment of giving the top four seeds to the four highest-ranked conference champions has come to an end after one season.
Per Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, College Football Playoff executives voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a “straight seeding” of the 12 teams that make the playoff field starting with the 2025 season.
bleacherreport.com
That is a good move. ASU and Boise St did not deserve a 3 and 4 seed. What do they do about the fact that all four teams that got a bye, lost in the second round?
It will give us all another item to discuss…….and it’s the right thing to do.
Here’s another thing to discuss … and it’s the right thing to do. Is Lincoln Riley ready for Year 2 in the Big Ten? Erik McKinney (WeAreSC.com) — USC got a taste of life in the Big Ten last year and it didn’t didn’t exactly go down smoothly. The Trojans went 0-4 in true road games outside of California and they couldn’t finish off what would have been a huge home win against Penn State. Can Lincoln Riley get his team ready for what will be somewhat difficult road games at Illinois and Nebraska in addition to trips to Notre Dame… Read more »
Lincoln learned about home cooking last season I have often called the PAC 12 refs the worst, but the B1G refs made the PAC refs look like geniuses. I cannot remember so many last minute saves given to incumbent B1G teams against any team. So many snatching defeat from the jaws of victory it was hard to believe. I know I know I know many of the losses can be attributed to Riley’s stubborn play calling, but combined with refs wearing blinders made the season was hard to swallow.
Allen,
I’am on the road right now in Gettysburg. So my response is short. We’ll have several months to chew this leather. Will be back soon.
As far as I’am concerned…..the USC season is all about your post. If Riley pulls his head out of his A–…….anything is possible……if not……anything is possible. Looking forward to spending an enjoyable season watching my Trojans/Illini. Maybe they will meet in the playoffs!
Hope you are enjoying Gettysburg, partner. I’ve always wanted to see that area. It’s do or die with most USC fans now for Lincoln (I think), but with his buy-out still being so ridiculously huge, he’s still got 2026 to accomplish a big rebound I would guess. USC, still unable to attract support from the national media, should roll into Champaign on Sept. 27 with a 4-0 record. As you know, the Illini (18 returning starters) are frequently ranked as a top 12-15 team. You’ll be coming off a probable tough game in Bloomington vs IU. But USC has depth… Read more »
I don’t really care if they get rid of the yearly series.I’m just tired of SC getting beat year after year. If SC’s program improves whereby they can start competing from year to year then we can keep the series. But if it is just going to be another loss every year then junk it.
ND just went to the NC Game. They aren’t going away from being in college football elites. Imagine every September, ND and USC battle it out, and the winner is likely going to the NCG. The history, tradition, and an early test of two elites. Classic college football the whole country would watch. ND is there, USC should be there in a year or two.
College football: Ranking Top 25 head coaches since 2000, per The Athletic Nick Kosko (on3.com) — The Athletic ranked the top 25 college football head coaches since 2000 as we mark a quarter century in 2025. Some are still kicking in college, others have retired, and some are coaching in the NFL or even elsewhere. Keep in mind, some of these coaches’ career records do include games prior to 2000, but The Athletic’s rankings are based on their stops this century. The teams listed for each coach are only over the last 25 years. 1. Nick Saban: Alabama, LSU Career Record: 292-71-1 2. Urban Meyer: Ohio… Read more »
I look forward every year to the USC vs ND game, almost more than the SC/UCLA game. I’ve seen some great Trojan/Irish games in my lifetime with “The Comeback” at the top of my list. The format of the game with it being held in South Bend mid-October and in Los Angeles at the end of November has worked all these years. Why SC would say that the game has to be moved to the first 3 games of the season bewilders me. Notre Dame and Alabama will always play lower division schools each year to pad their record. Back… Read more »
Here’s an internet exchange about what’s going on: A — it’s all Notre Dame’s fault when they started playing lower division schools and in an easy ACC conference! They expect a beat-up and injured USC team to play a healthier Notre Dame team? The only way it could continue would be at the beginning of the season! B — Yes, and USC has said okay, except the game has to be moved to the first 3 games of the season. Balls in Notre Dame’s court. Either join a conference, to get the competition you need to qualify, or play us when… Read more »
Allen, for the record, I would be gravely disappointed if cfb’s greatest rivalry is eliminated. Been enjoying it since I was in elementary school. I know I’m stepping in a land mine here but….NCAA has been dismissing SOS for as long as I can remember. They talk, but cower ultimately. There is zero reward in having a difficult schedule and you can look back at history to confirm. The SEC would cry that they already have a tough conference ( not always for sure ) and ND is constantly defending their pathetic schedules and turns out, no harm to them. USC is… Read more »
I simply don’t think ND’s schedules are always so weak as others here do. And since they generally beat us more than we beat them, it’s not an angle that I choose to pursue. And to be honest, USC dominated the often poorly regarded Pac-12 under Pete Carroll when many of the Pac-12 teams were certainly nothing to write home about. As far as “scheduling ourselves out of post-season play”, I’d say it’s hard to make that argument with MO ST and GA SO kicking off the 2025 season. I don’t think USC should play three obvious cupcakes a year.… Read more »
I was in error in my post yesterday. USC-ND having started in ’26 not ’46 is the third oldest interconference rivalry but the oldest interstate/interconference (intersectional) rivalry. It was interrupted during WWII and 2020, so they played consecutively from ’46-’19. That’s the fourth longest nonconference streak. Missing 3 games in 98 years due to global catastrophes. It needs to stay but if playing it in September is the only way to keep it, I say move the date. Playing in November is not wise for USC. ND needs this game more than USC for SOS. ND will find it harder… Read more »
I noticed your error in not recognizing 1926 as the beginning of USC/ND, but we all make mistakes, sometimes when we least expect to. To me, the much bigger point isn’t the exact numbers. USC vs ND transcends that. There are plenty of fantastic rivalries, but there is only one USC/ND. There’s only one Leprechaun vs The Horse. As an older fan, it’s logical for me to think this, as I formed my USC link during the McKay years. One thing you and I do disagree on is your statement — “ND will find it harder and harder to find… Read more »
You have a good point. ND will not get a BIG or SEC team to play them in November. But they will be able to get ACC and Big12 teams. They need to boost their SOS as well as ND. ND may as well joint the ACC, half their games are from there.
If “B” accurately describes our tri-committee’s (Cohend-Riley-Bowden) concerns & needs as a way to keep this rivalry intact, then I support their thinking. ND has to give in on this condition if they want to continue their grand scheme of playing in LA as a recruiting source. Playing in South Bend accomplishes zilch in USC recruiting unless your concerned making NBC a lot of money & patting the domers on the back. We can moan & gripe about losing this historic game but now the parameters have changed being in the Big Ten and its travel demands. ND doesn’t have… Read more »
Unfortunately, this is a classic “sticky wicket.”
ND understandably wants stability and commitment. And because USC is now a member of the B1G, ND needs USC more for strength of schedule purposes than vice versa.
And USC can’t afford to extend long term until the B1G gets a firm four-team playoff commitment. Too much uncertainty otherwise, and losing to ND any year could keep USC’s playoff hopes in jeopardy.
ND, which has more flexibility, should cut USC some slack and accept the reasonable offer of a one-year extension in the interest of allowing the playoff entry situation to formalize.
Cancellation of the USC-Notre Dame game would constitute the ultimate betrayal.
I refuse to take this seriously. Maybe I’m just stuck with my head in the sand, but the USC/ND rivalry is so big, it boggles the mind just thinking it’s even under consideration.
I presume USC is angling big-time for a concession of some sort. Could LR be behind this for the sake of his future winning percentage at USC? I guess. But I sure hope not, and I can’t believe he’d want to tread here, especially after his last two failed USC seasons.
Jen’s too smart to let this happen. That’s where I stand, totally uninformed as I am.
I wonder how her recovery is going.