**USC-Notre Dame Rivalry Ends Amid Scheduling Dispute**
The storied football rivalry between the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish has reached an unexpected halt as both programs failed to agree on a continuation of their series for the 2026-27 seasons. USC head coach Lincoln Riley expressed his disappointment during a media session ahead of the Trojans’ matchup against TCU in the Valero Alamo Bowl, directing criticism towards Notre Dame for their handling of the situation.
Riley revealed that both teams had been in discussions for months to find a solution, with Notre Dame previously asserting their willingness to play USC “anytime, anywhere.” However, the lack of a conference affiliation for Notre Dame allows them greater flexibility in scheduling, which ultimately played a role in the breakdown of negotiations. According to Riley, USC’s athletic director, Jen Cohen, presented a proposal to extend the rivalry series just weeks ago, but it was swiftly rejected by Notre Dame.
Adding to the frustration, Riley noted that within minutes of the rejection, Notre Dame announced a new opponent—BYU—indicating a rapid scheduling decision that he described as potentially the fastest in college football history. This new arrangement involves a home-and-home series with BYU, sidelining the traditional rivalry with USC.
The rivalry, which dates back to 1926, has seen the two teams clash 96 times, with only four games missed over the decades—three during World War II and one in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Riley emphasized that had Notre Dame honored their commitment to play, the teams would have continued their rivalry in the coming years.
As it stands, the all-time series record remains at 51-37-5 in favor of Notre Dame, leaving USC to navigate their future scheduling without one of their most significant rivals.
**FAQ**
**Q: Why did the USC-Notre Dame football rivalry end?**
A: The rivalry ended due to a failure to agree on a scheduling extension for the 2026-27 seasons, with Notre Dame quickly scheduling a new opponent after rejecting USC’s proposal.
