Pete Thamel addresses how public backlash, scheduling could impact future of Notre Dame-USC rivalry

The rivalry between Notre Dame and USC is among the most historic in all of college sports. Now, it could be in jeopardy amid changes to scheduling and the postseason that have made it so that the Trojans are questioning the future of the game.

This comes after a report in May from Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated that the game was on the brink of collapse. Their scheduling agreement doesn’t currently extend beyond the 2025 season, and both see it differently, with USC not currently looking at long-term agreements and potentially looking at moving the game from its traditional structure.

Unsurprisingly, there’s been backlash publicly over the potential loss of the Notre Dame-USC game. That’s something that ESPN‘s Pete Thamel discussed on the College GameDay Podcast, emphasizing that the backlash could end up impacting the game in some way.

“Specifically for Notre Dame and USC, that would be a giant loss for the sport,” Pete Thamel said. “Like, that would be a huge loss for the sport, and I do wonder if the outcry, shaming USC for pondering losing it will win out.”

The Notre Dame-USC rivalry has been played since 1926, only taking a break for World War II, and has become one of the iconic games in the sport. The two teams have combined for 22 national championships and, for many fans on both teams, it’s the most important game of the season. That’s part of where the pressure will come from on USC.

“Because, look, there’s no more pro-market than LA. And people in LA are not excited when Purdue comes to town. They’re certainly not excited at the non-con USC has right now outside of [Notre Dame],” Thamel said. “And I think this was a Lincoln Riley overreaction to having to play LSU and Notre Dame last year. Now, they won the LSU game… So, worrying about the travel, thinking about that. Boy, that would be a tough press release to send out if you’re USC when you do that because you are just waving the white flag and putting yourself in the fetal position and saying, ‘We can’t compete like we used to.’ It’s simple, ‘We can’t compete like we used to. We don’t want to be challenged.'”

Since getting to USC, head coach Lincoln Riley has seemingly been lukewarm about the Notre Dame game. At his first Big Ten media days, Riley suggested the future of the game was something to look at if ending it was best for USC. For his part, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has said he’s a “huge proponent” for keeping the game.

After leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, the Trojans have lost several rivalry games. This would be a major blow for USC fans, according to Thamel, even if there’s an argument it’s for the best.

“What you’re also doing… you’re also shoving a middle finger in the face of the fans,” Thamel said. “Because if you’re a USC fan, that’s the game you care about the most, and I would argue you care more about that game than UCLA. UCLA is your local rival, but your national relevance is that.”

The major concern that USC would point to is the travel the team faces in the Big Ten. Adding another trip from Los Angeles to Indiana every other season is a challenge. That’s why it’s been suggested moving the game from midseason in years it’s played at Notre Dame and the end of the season when played at USC to Week 0.

“Can you imagine if that game became a Week 0 staple? If it kicked off the season, it would be a sensation,” Thamel said. “Because it’s interesting when you get into the value of games, and conferences, and all this stuff. We’re in the mode of TV deals, Pac-12 deal is coming down soon. Like, that singular game value. Just that one game, especially if it’s in a spot where it’s gonna be a little bit by itself. I mean, look at the rating that Georgia Tech–Florida State did last year. Imagine that game as like a kickoff to the season. It would be a monster.”

Passions are clearly high around this game. One USC booster even threatened to take the school out of his will if the game is canceled. So, if changes must be made, there is clearly a portion of that community that still wants to make the game work.

“I am empathetic to USC’s desire for it to be moved to accommodate some travel,” Thamel said. “I have no problem with that.”