Notre Dame and USC in Talks to Renew Football Rivalry by 2030
Notre Dame and the University of Southern California (USC) are currently engaged in discussions to renew their historic college football rivalry, which was temporarily suspended after the 2025 season. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, while negotiations are ongoing with optimism from insiders, a renewed series may not commence until the 2030 season. The hiatus began when Notre Dame declined USC's final offer to play in 2026, opting instead for a home-and-home series with BYU. A significant point of contention involved scheduling; USC sought earlier dates aligned with its nonconference schedule, while Notre Dame preferred traditional late-season slots. Complications arose after USC discovered Notre Dame had secured a guaranteed College Football Playoff berth for top-12 finishes, influencing strategic scheduling decisions. USC Coach Lincoln Riley publicly criticized Notre Dame for not honoring previous verbal agreements to play anytime, anywhere. Despite the recent friction, both athletic departments remain open to future agreements, with Notre Dame showing flexibility on playing earlier in the season as a potential compromise for long-term renewal.
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Notre Dame and USC in Talks to Renew Football Rivalry by 2030
Notre Dame and the University of Southern California (USC) are currently engaged in discussions to renew their historic college football rivalry, which was temporarily suspended after the 2025 season. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, while negotiations are ongoing with optimism from insiders, a renewed series may not commence until the 2030 season. The hiatus began when Notre Dame declined USC's final offer to play in 2026, opting instead for a home-and-home series with BYU. A significant point of contention involved scheduling; USC sought earlier dates aligned with its nonconference schedule, while Notre Dame preferred traditional late-season slots. Complications arose after USC discovered Notre Dame had secured a guaranteed College Football Playoff berth for top-12 finishes, influencing strategic scheduling decisions. USC Coach Lincoln Riley publicly criticized Notre Dame for not honoring previous verbal agreements to play anytime, anywhere. Despite the recent friction, both athletic departments remain open to future agreements, with Notre Dame showing flexibility on playing earlier in the season as a potential compromise for long-term renewal.
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