Lincoln Riley Continues to Fault Notre Dame for USC Rivalry Hiatus as Future of Historic Series Remains Uncertain
One of college football's most iconic rivalries remains on pause, and USC head coach Lincoln Riley continues to believe the series could have continued if negotiations had unfolded differently.
Speaking during Big Ten Media Days, Riley reiterated that he wants the annual matchup between USC and Notre Dame to remain on the schedule. However, he also suggested the Fighting Irish bear responsibility for the current hiatus after the two schools failed to reach an agreement on extending the series beyond its previous contract.
The rivalry, which has been played nearly every year for almost a century, will not be contested this season for just the fifth time since World War II, ending one of the longest continuous traditions in college football.
Lincoln Riley Says USC Wanted to Keep Playing
Riley made it clear that USC's desire to continue the rivalry has not changed.
When asked about the status of future games, the Trojans coach said his position remains the same and expressed hope that the two programs can eventually return the matchup to the college football calendar.
According to Riley, the game would still be taking place had previous discussions resulted in the agreement USC expected.
"Nothing's changed from my vantage point," Riley said. "We want to play the game. I want to play the game."
While Riley stopped short of directly criticizing Notre Dame by name, his comments reinforced USC's longstanding position regarding the stalled negotiations.
Why the Rivalry Was Paused
The disagreement centered largely on scheduling.
USC reportedly wanted to move the annual rivalry from its traditional late-season date to Week 0, believing an early-season matchup would reduce the potential impact a late loss could have on the Trojans' College Football Playoff hopes.
Notre Dame declined that proposal.
Head coach Marcus Freeman previously explained that while he is willing to play USC "anytime, anywhere," moving a game that had historically been scheduled near the end of the regular season to the opening week was not in the best interest of the Irish program.
Without an agreement on scheduling, the rivalry was placed on hold.
A Rivalry Unlike Almost Any Other
Few games in college football carry the historical significance of Notre Dame versus USC.
The programs have met:
- 96 times entering the hiatus
- 78 of the last 79 seasons
- Every year except the COVID-affected 2020 season during that stretch
Before the 2020 interruption, the only extended pause came during World War II, when the rivalry was not played for three consecutive seasons.
The annual matchup has featured numerous Hall of Fame players, Heisman Trophy winners, national championship teams, and unforgettable finishes that helped shape college football's national popularity.
Why Scheduling Became More Complicated
The changing landscape of college football has made scheduling marquee nonconference games increasingly difficult.
USC now competes in the Big Ten, where annual conference schedules already include several nationally ranked opponents. Combined with expanded College Football Playoff discussions, many programs are carefully evaluating how difficult nonconference schedules could affect postseason opportunities.
Some observers believe that concern influenced USC's request to move the rivalry earlier in the season, allowing the Trojans additional opportunities to recover from a loss before playoff selections are made.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, maintained that preserving the rivalry's traditional place on the calendar remained important.
Notre Dame Quickly Filled the Opening
Following the breakdown in negotiations, Notre Dame moved quickly to adjust its future schedule.
The Irish announced a home-and-home series with BYU, a decision USC supporters have pointed to as evidence that Notre Dame was prepared to move on from the rivalry rather than continue negotiations.
Notre Dame officials have not publicly blamed USC for the hiatus, instead emphasizing that scheduling decisions must reflect what is best for the football program as a whole.
Freeman has consistently stated that he understands USC must also make decisions based on its own competitive priorities.
Could the Rivalry Return?
Despite the current break, neither school appears ready to end the rivalry permanently.
Reports referenced in the source material indicate both programs remain interested in renewing the series, with 2030 viewed as the earliest realistic opportunity for games to resume.
Several factors could make future negotiations easier.
Among them are:
- Potential expansion of the College Football Playoff
- Changes to conference scheduling models
- Greater flexibility in nonconference scheduling
- Long-term television agreements that accommodate marquee rivalry games
If those developments occur, both schools may find it easier to restore one of college football's premier annual matchups.
Fans Continue Hoping for a Resolution
The pause has disappointed fans on both sides.
For generations, Notre Dame and USC have represented one of the sport's defining intersectional rivalries, regularly matching national powers from opposite coasts in games that often carried championship implications.
The series has also produced some of college football's most memorable moments while featuring legendary coaches and countless future NFL stars.
Its absence leaves a noticeable gap on the national schedule.
The Tradition Isn't Gone—Just Waiting
While Lincoln Riley continues to suggest Notre Dame deserves much of the blame for the current hiatus, both programs have consistently expressed a desire to eventually bring the rivalry back.
Whether that happens in 2030 or later remains uncertain, but there appears to be mutual recognition that college football is better when Notre Dame and USC share the field.
Until an agreement is reached, one of the sport's greatest traditions will remain on hold, with fans left hoping the rivalry returns before another generation misses the opportunity to experience one of college football's most celebrated annual games.









