And it’s rivalry week at South Bend. Notre Dame is set to host USC on 18th October, and tensions seem to be already flaring. Amid all of those tensions boiling on the internet, a Notre Dame beat reporter has found herself in an unwanted controversy. A candid confession about her childhood allegiances turned into a storm as the fans went berserk, questioning her loyalties.

Talia Baia, a prominent beat reporter for Notre Dame, shared four pictures from her childhood on her X account. Except in these pictures, she is wearing the USC colors. The reason? Her family has deep ties with USC. “I know it’s #BeatUSC week… But I actually grew up a HUGE USC fan — both my parents, two uncles on each side, and my grandpa went there. Had a Reggie Bush poster on my wall and everything,” wrote Talia Baia.

Baia reminisced about the conflicting importance of the game and remembered how her childhood was shaped by USC loyalties instead of Notre Dame. The pictures were an innocent reminder of her core childhood memories. But people took no time to question her loyalties.

The nature of the rivalry that has been in place since 1926 surely has deep emotions attached to the game. Be it the Knute Rockne and Gus Shaver era, redefining the rivalry, or the clash of two different cultural traditions. So, when that Hollywood glamor gets pitted against Notre Dame’s Midwest tradition, it brings out one of the most electric games in college football. Right from Joe Montana’s national title in 1977 to the ‘Bush Push’ game in 2005, the number of iconic moments is countless. And that explains why those emotions are coming out on Talia Baia’s harmless post.

Talia Baia faces the ire of the internet for her USC loyalties

One user remarked how he is going to unfollow Baia for the whole week until the USC game. “I’m now going to have to unfollow you for the rest of the week.” Whereas another user asked why she didn’t disclose her childhood affiliations before. “Why didn’t you disclose this before I started following you?” But why so many harsh takes?

It all lies in the nature of the rivalry between USC and Notre Dame. It’s about emotions passed on to generations, shaping childhoods where people form bonds with their teams quite early.

One of the users proposed a plan to bring her back to the Notre Dame fold. “Cmon, Talia, you’re better than that!! Let’s grab a beer on Saturday in South Bend. You can interview me as well.” While another Trojan fan remarked on her covering for Notre Dame instead of USC, her childhood team. “So how in the world did u lose your way….?? one a Trojan always one….so just come on home,” wrote the user. The verdict?

Many of the comments and remarks are surely harmless and will fade once the game ends. If at all, it describes the importance the game carries for both fanbases. “Can’t root for both! You have 1 favorite team!” wrote a user. As for the game itself, USC will have a slight advantage over Notre Dame this Week. Since the Trojans are 5-1 in the season and are coming off a statement win over Michigan. Notre Dame, on the other hand, has lost its two marquee games against Miami and Texas A&M, leaving some uncertainty.