The last few weeks have been tense regarding the future of the historic USC-Notre Dame football rivalry. These two programs have competed almost annually for nearly a century, with only one interruption since World War II. However, no deal is currently in place to continue the series past 2026, and discussions between the schools appear to be stalled.
On a recent episode of his national college football show The Hard Count, J.D. Pickell of On3 emphasized that the Trojans and Fighting Irish should continue their yearly matchup, regardless of potential playoff implications.
“To pull back from this rivalry out of concern for playoff positioning is incredibly short-sighted,” Pickell argued. “This isn’t just about making the postseason. When you commit to USC, you’re signing up to play Notre Dame—that’s part of the tradition. That’s what college football is all about.
“Both schools have powerful brands on their own,” he added, “but there’s something special that happens when they face each other. A rivalry of this magnitude adds energy and excitement that can’t be replicated.”
Pickell’s argument hits home: USC and Notre Dame’s nearly 100-year rivalry is a cornerstone of college football. The recently expanded playoff format has barely had time to establish itself. Letting a time-honored tradition fade away over a brand-new postseason system would undermine the spirit and history that make college football unique.
Ideally, both programs will come to an agreement and secure the future of this storied matchup for years to come.
SOURCE: Yahoo!Sports
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