Despite College Football Playoff Concerns, Lincoln Riley Insists Storied USC-Notre Dame Rivalry Must Continue: ‘We Should Play This Forever’

In the ever-shifting landscape of college football, where conference realignment and the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion are reshaping the sport’s traditions, USC head coach Lincoln Riley is standing firm on one sacred ground: the annual rivalry game between USC and Notre Dame. Despite mounting concerns that the expanded CFP format could devalue non-conference games or disrupt scheduling logistics, Riley remains adamant that the USC-Notre Dame rivalry must be preserved.

Speaking to media ahead of the 2025 college football season, Riley didn’t mince words. “We should play this game forever,” he said. “It’s one of the reasons I came here. The history, the tradition, the stakes—this game is special.”

A Rivalry Steeped in History

First played in 1926, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is one of the most iconic and enduring in college football. It is the only annual inter-sectional rivalry in the sport, bringing together two powerhouse programs from opposite ends of the country. From the Four Horsemen and Knute Rockne to Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, the rivalry has produced countless moments that have shaped the sport’s lore.

“It’s not just a football game,” Riley said. “It’s a cultural event. Two elite programs, two storied histories, two national brands. That’s what college football is all about.”

The CFP Conundrum

With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, there has been growing debate about how programs should schedule non-conference opponents. Some argue that elite programs should avoid difficult out-of-conference games to preserve playoff hopes, while others contend that strength of schedule will continue to matter—and that high-profile rivalries are good for the sport.

Riley falls squarely in the latter camp.

“You don’t grow this game by hiding from competition,” he said. “Playing Notre Dame every year makes us better. It makes college football better.”

USC Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen echoed Riley’s sentiments, noting that the university remains committed to maintaining the annual clash.

“This game is part of who we are,” Cohen said. “We understand the challenges of the new playoff format, but we’re going to find a way to make this work.”

Riley’s Deep Respect for Notre Dame

While Lincoln Riley’s roots trace back to Texas and Oklahoma, where he made his name as the head coach of the Sooners, he has quickly embraced USC’s traditions—and the Notre Dame rivalry in particular. Since taking the helm in 2022, he’s faced the Fighting Irish three times, going 1-2. Each of those games has served as a reminder of what makes the rivalry so meaningful.

“You feel it in the stadium,” Riley said. “Whether it’s the Coliseum or South Bend, there’s a weight to this game. You know eyes are on you nationally. It’s intense, it’s physical, and it’s fun.”

He added: “I tell our players, this is the game your kids will ask you about one day.”

Players Feel the Passion

USC quarterback Malachi Nelson, expected to be the Trojans’ starter for the 2025 season, called the Notre Dame game “the biggest one on our schedule.”

“You circle it the second the calendar comes out,” Nelson said. “There’s nothing like walking into South Bend and hearing that crowd. Or running out of the tunnel at the Coliseum and seeing nothing but cardinal and gold.”

Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry agreed.

“Even if we weren’t playing for a title, this game would still mean everything,” he said. “You grow up knowing about USC-Notre Dame. It’s part of the fabric of college football.”

The Coaching Brotherhood

Despite their competitive fire, Riley and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman have developed a mutual respect for each other. Both are among the younger head coaches in the Power Five and have risen quickly through the coaching ranks. Both have also had to navigate the expectations and pressures of leading storied programs in the NIL and transfer portal era.

“Marcus is a great coach and a great leader,” Riley said. “He’s building something strong at Notre Dame, and that makes the rivalry even better. We want to beat them, and they want to beat us. But there’s respect there.”

Freeman echoed the sentiment during Notre Dame’s media day.

“Lincoln’s one of the brightest minds in the game,” he said. “Any time we play USC, we know we’re going to be tested. That’s what makes this game special.”

A Shared National Spotlight

One of the unique aspects of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is its national appeal. While many traditional rivalries are regional—think Alabama-Auburn or Michigan-Ohio State—USC and Notre Dame represent opposite coasts, drawing fanbases and media attention from across the country.

TV ratings back that up. Their 2024 meeting drew over 7 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched regular-season games of the year. The game consistently ranks among the highest-rated in the sport, often drawing primetime network slots and extensive pregame coverage.

“People care about this game, even if they’re not fans of either team,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “That’s the mark of a great rivalry.”

How the Game Could Change

Though both programs are committed to preserving the rivalry, logistical hurdles remain. With USC’s full integration into the Big Ten and Notre Dame remaining independent, finding a calendar slot each year is becoming more complicated.

There have been discussions about moving the game to different points in the season. Traditionally played in late October or November, the rivalry could be pushed to Week Zero or early September in some years.

“It might not always be in the same spot, but we’re going to make it happen,” Riley said. “It’s too important not to.”

There is also the possibility that USC and Notre Dame could meet in the CFP, potentially diminishing the uniqueness of the regular-season showdown. Riley, however, doesn’t see that as a problem.

“If we play them twice in a season, that just means we’re both doing something right,” he said.

Preserving What Matters

As college football undergoes transformation at every level—from NIL collectives to realigned super conferences—the call to protect its most sacred traditions has grown louder. And for Lincoln Riley, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is near the top of that list.

“This game connects generations,” he said. “The guys who played in the ’70s, the ’90s, the 2000s—they all come back for this one. There’s nothing else like it.”

For the players, fans, coaches, and alumni, the game serves as more than just a measuring stick—it’s a celebration of everything that makes college football great: pageantry, passion, history, and heart.

“This is what Saturdays are made for,” Riley said with a smile. “And I hope we never lose it.”

While the College Football Playoff and changing conference dynamics have brought necessary growth and revenue to the sport, figures like Lincoln Riley serve as important voices reminding stakeholders not to forget the traditions that made college football what it is. In his words, the USC-Notre Dame rivalry isn’t just worth preserving—it’s essential.

“Some things you don’t mess with,” he said. “And this is one of them.”