New report suggests USC-Notre Dame football rivalry is in danger of ending
It is certainly a tense time at USC football, particularly regarding the future of the USC-Notre Dame football rivalry. The two schools, who have met every year but one since World War II, do not currently have a contract for the series beyond 2026. On Monday, Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated reported that the series appears to be in serious jeopardy.
According to Forde, "USC has expressed reluctance to enter into a long-term deal due to uncertainty about the future College Football Playoff format, and while assessing the demands of greater travel as a member of the Big Ten. USC has broached the idea of moving the game to a season-opening spot on the schedule, sources tell SI."
Forde later updated the story to include statements from both USC and Notre Dame officials.
"'We want the USC–Notre Dame rivalry to continue, which is why we offered an extension of our agreement,' USC associate athletic director Cody Worsham tells SI. 'It's a special game to our fans and our institution. We will continue to work with Notre Dame on scheduling future games.'"
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua added, "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."
While college football has changed a ton over the decades, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is one of the few constants that has remained constant. Hopefully, the two schools will be able to come to an agreement, and one of the great rivalries in all of sports will not fall victim to the new era of college athletics.
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