Lincoln Riley Blames Notre Dame for Ending Nearly Century-Old Football Rivalry
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The storied college football rivalry between the University of Southern California Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which has spanned nearly a century, will not continue into the 2026 season. USC head coach Lincoln Riley publicly attributed the end of the series to Notre Dame’s scheduling decisions, marking a surprising turn in one of college football’s most iconic matchups.
Since 1926, the Trojans and Fighting Irish have met 96 times on the gridiron, missing only four games—three during World War II and one amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The rivalry has been a fixture of college football, capturing the attention of fans nationwide. However, the continuation of this tradition hit a roadblock this offseason.
In a media appearance ahead of USC’s upcoming Valero Alamo Bowl game against TCU, Riley expressed frustration over Notre Dame’s refusal to extend the series. “It’s pretty simple. We both worked for months to try to find a solution,” Riley said. “Notre Dame was very vocal about the fact that they would play us anytime, anywhere. Obviously, them not having a conference affiliation gives them an ability to be pretty flexible with their scheduling.”
USC’s athletic director, Jen Cohen, reportedly presented Notre Dame with a proposal to extend the rivalry for two more seasons. According to Riley, that proposal was rejected. What added to the Trojans’ disappointment was Notre Dame’s swift announcement of a new opponent mere minutes after declining USC’s offer. The Fighting Irish opted for a home-and-home series with Brigham Young University (BYU), a move Riley described as “the fastest scheduling act in college football history.”
Notre Dame’s decision to replace a historic rival with BYU, a program outside the Power Five conferences, has sparked debate among fans and analysts about the future of traditional college football rivalries in an era of conference realignment and playoff expansion. The Fighting Irish’s independent status in football allows them greater scheduling flexibility, a factor Riley highlighted in his comments.
For USC, the scheduling void left by Notre Dame’s departure remains unresolved. The Trojans are actively seeking opponents to fill their 2026 schedule, underscoring the challenge of maintaining a competitive slate without their longtime rival.
This development comes amid a broader landscape of college football where historic matchups face increasing pressure from television contracts, playoff considerations, and conference dynamics. The NCAA continues to oversee regulations that impact scheduling and postseason play, but individual schools and conferences wield significant influence over their own calendars.
Fans of both programs are left to reflect on nearly 100 years of competition that produced memorable games and moments, from thrilling finishes to legendary players. The rivalry’s hiatus marks a significant moment in college football history, one that highlights the evolving nature of the sport.
For more on college football scheduling and NCAA regulations, visit the NCAA Football page. Updates on USC athletics can be found at the USC Trojans official site, while Notre Dame’s athletic news is available through the Notre Dame Fighting Irish site.
As the Trojans prepare for their bowl game and look ahead to future seasons, the absence of Notre Dame from their schedule will be a reminder of the shifting tides in college football traditions.
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