One of the greatest rivalries in college football—the century-old, goosebump-inducing, history-soaked war between USC and Notre Dame—is suddenly on shaky ground. 95 matchups deep and loaded with moments that defined eras, this rivalry has long stood as one of the sport’s sacred traditions. But now, the USC Trojans and Irish are on course to meet just once more—this fall in South Bend—before the future goes foggy. While USC’s official site hints at a 2026 home date, Notre Dame is reportedly pushing for something more permanent. The Trojans? Not quite ready to commit. That hesitation has kicked up a storm, not just on message boards and radio shows, but across social media—and it’s centered around one man: Lincoln Riley.

At the heart of the controversy is a growing belief that USC might be eyeing a clearer, cleaner road to the College Football Playoff by trimming the fat of historic, non-conference heavyweights. The potential fallout is enormous. According to reports, Notre Dame wants to continue the annual matchup well into the future. But USC, navigating its way into the rough waters of Big Ten football, seems reluctant to lock in.

That’s led many to speculate the motive is CFP-related—specifically, concerns around the strength of schedule and automatic conference bids. With powerhouses like the SEC and Big Ten soon to hold multiple guaranteed spots in the expanded playoff, playing a tough non-conference opponent like Notre Dame might be seen more as a liability than a legacy. If you trust your conference more than you trust the selection committee, why make life harder?

George Wrighster, co-host of Unafraid Show, didn’t mince words. “I woke up still HOT about USC vs. Notre Dame potentially going away,” he tweeted. “USC leadership, Lincoln Riley, and anybody who approves of this should be ashamed of themselves. You can’t throw away 100 years of tradition to try and make the path to the CFP. Win the game.” Wrighster is far from alone in his frustration.

While the decision-makers at USC may point to the shifting tectonics of college football as justification, critics argue that no playoff berth is worth selling out the sport’s soul. Non-conference rivalries like this one are oxygen to fans. Without them, the game loses some of its magic, some of its memory-making power.

There’s also the optics problem. A retreat from Notre Dame doesn’t just look strategic—it looks scared. For a program that prides itself on toughness, star power, and swagger, that’s a hard pill to swallow. The idea that USC would shy away from South Bend in the name of playoff positioning rubs longtime fans the wrong way. CFB wasn’t built on analytics or resume math—it was built on iconic clashes like USC vs. Notre Dame.

If USC pulls out after this season, it wouldn’t just be an administrative shift—it would feel like a betrayal to a generation of fans who grew up watching the likes of Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart go toe-to-toe. That golden helmet vs. cardinal and gold isn’t just for show; it means something. And if those games fade into the past, they take a piece of the sport’s heart with them.

Fans slam USC and Lincoln Riley over program identity

The fans didn’t wait long to make their feelings known, and the accusations came in hotter than a blitz off the edge. One user posted, “USC has coward culture of course they don’t want the smoke.” In a sport where pride and toughness are baked into every Saturday, being labeled a “coward” is the ultimate insult. And whether fair or not, when a school walks away from a legacy game, it invites those kinds of shots.

Another added, “USC is scared, same reason they ran from Oregon.” That’s a double punch, suggesting that USC’s pattern isn’t new. It plays into a narrative that the Trojans—once feared coast to coast—are dodging danger instead of meeting it head-on.

“They are incredibly soft. It’s the USC way,” wrote another. That’s more than criticism; that’s a body blow to the very identity of the program. Lincoln Riley, known for his high-octane offenses and calculated game-planning, is now caught in the crosshairs of a debate that’s as much about legacy as it is logistics.

The harshest jab may have come from the fan who posted, “They don’t just approve of it, it’s their idea. Lincoln running away with his tail between his legs like he does best.” That’s not just a critique—it’s personal. It accuses Riley of engineering the exit and ties it directly to his coaching style, painting him as someone who would rather scheme than scrap.

Adding to the fan frustration, there’s the sarcastic jab, “Lol, USC will still miss the playoffs.” With their last national championship over a decade ago and recent seasons ending with just eight and seven wins, the fanbase isn’t just disagreeing—they’re disgusted. USC’s current record against Notre Dame is 37-52-5, including a two-year losing streak. It’s a tough spot: balancing a key rivalry with the urgent need for playoff appearances and a national title. Riley clearly has more work to do.