USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley stated that the highly anticipated rivalry game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish would be taking place in 2026 if certain verbal agreements had been honored. The annual contest, often referred to as the "greatest intersectional rivalry in college sports," has been a staple for nearly a century but is not scheduled for 2026 following a breakdown in negotiations.
Riley expressed his continued desire to play the game, adding, "We want to play the game. I want to play the game. We would be playing the game had some things come true that were said. And so hopefully we get to that point." His comments came during Big Ten media week, where he reiterated that the issue stems from unfulfilled statements made by the Notre Dame side.
The dispute reportedly centers on USC's request to move the game to Week 0, rather than its traditional late-season placement. While Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman had previously stated in 2025 that he was open to playing USC "anytime, anywhere," the program ultimately refused to shift the game's timing. This refusal has impacted USC's scheduling, particularly as they navigate conference play within the Big Ten.
Freeman has since addressed the situation, noting that while he wants the rivalry back on the schedule, moving the game from its established Week 12 slot to Week 0 was not deemed "what's best" for the program. This stance appears to contrast with his earlier flexibility regarding the game's timing.
Riley's remarks suggest that Notre Dame may have had strategic reasons for not wanting to move the game. With the expanded playoff format guaranteeing spots for teams ranked in the top 12, Notre Dame might be prioritizing a less challenging path to the postseason. A road game against a potentially strong USC team, especially with USC having secured a top recruiting class, could be viewed as a risk. The Irish have recently dominated the series, but USC's recruiting success could shift the competitive balance.
This scheduling disruption highlights a broader trend in college football, where the incentive to play high-level non-conference games may be diminishing with the expansion of playoffs and conferences. The USC-Notre Dame rivalry, played 96 times over 100 years, faces an uncertain future beyond 2026 if a resolution cannot be reached.