Notre Dame 2026

[23andCounting]

3 minutes ago, Irishman said:

Just sayin 🙂

I figured at some point someone on here would site AI as a credible source. I certainly didn't think it would be @Bash Riprock. 

[Bash Riprock]

5 minutes ago, Irishman said:

Just sayin 🙂

My point is both sides turned down the deal. ND made an initial proposal. SC said no and came back with a counter. ND said no and it ended. 
 

23..,,earlier provided LA Times…Sports illustrated link below. Good enough?

https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/real-truth-usc-trojans-notre-dame-rivalry-pause-college-football-playoff

[23andCounting]

1 minute ago, Irishman said:

The hangup with using the MOU as an excuse is USC knew about this in 2024. 
Every P4 Conference Commissioner agreed to it. 

If it was an issue, why not use it to get out of this year's game? 

I have stated before, before USC to the B1G was a thing, Riley had told the broadcast team during a meeting with them during the week of the game that this was a game he was interested in dropping. 

You and I both know it's not the MOU. It came down to two things. The length of contract being number one. Number two, and I don't blame USC, playing ND late in the season. And to be honest? With Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Penn State on their schedule, scheduling ND makes making the playoffs a grind that USC isn't ready for. 

I hate to rain on anyone's parade that this is some sort of a boycott. But hey, I'm sure lots of folk will think that as a result of something they read on the internet. 

[Bash Riprock]

3 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

I figured at some point someone on here would site AI as a credible source. I certainly didn't think it would be @Bash Riprock. 

You won’t believe anything other than in your own mind. You said nothing on the LA Times link I provided and I’m sure you will discredit SI as well if it doesn’t align with your view. Perhaps you can start providing “credible” links. 

[23andCounting]

3 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

My point is both sides turned down the deal. ND made an initial proposal. SC said no and came back with a counter. ND said no and it ended. 
 

23..,,earlier provided LA Times…Sports illustrated link below. Good enough?

https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/real-truth-usc-trojans-notre-dame-rivalry-pause-college-football-playoff

Lol, the real truth from LA Times and Sports Illustrated............this ought to be good. 

[Bash Riprock]

4 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Lol, the real truth from LA Times and Sports Illustrated............this ought to be good. 

Thanks for making my point….the list beyond ESPN/ABC grows….

Bottom line, both schools rejected proposals to extend. Both schools share fault. 
 

Add CBS to the sources to discredit?

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-usc-breakup-college-football-playoff/#

[23andCounting]

Just now, Bash Riprock said:

Thanks for making my point….the list beyond ESPN/ABC grows….

Bottom line, both schools rejected proposals to extend. Both schools share fault. 
 

Add CBS to the sources to discredit?

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-usc-breakup-college-football-playoff/#

My interpretation of "and, significantly, USC's concern over a special CFP agreement that benefits independent Notre Dame" was incorrect. My first thought was that they were citing a boycott. The article you posted cites it as an advantage Notre Dame has over USC, which is correct and I absolutely don't blame USC for abandoning the deal. But there are many programs out there whom a game against Notre Dame would significantly help their chances. Notre Dame won't be joining a conference anytime soon, but I'm sure they are flattered that everyone wants them to. 

[Footballking16]

2 hours ago, Irishman said:

The hangup with using the MOU as an excuse is USC knew about this in 2024. 
Every P4 Conference Commissioner agreed to it. 

If it was an issue, why not use it to get out of this year's game? 

I have stated before, before USC to the B1G was a thing, Riley had told the broadcast team during a meeting with them during the week of the game that this was a game he was interested in dropping. 

Because the MOU that grants ND an automatic invite to the CFP if they finish in the top 12 doesn’t go into effect until next season. It had no bearing on this season or else ND would have been in.

[Irishman]

24 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Because the MOU that grants ND an automatic invite to the CFP if they finish in the top 12 doesn’t go into effect until next season. It had no bearing on this season or else ND would have been in.

I get that part. But overall, it's a "convenient" excuse for backing out. None of this was part of the conversation a year ago when SC knew the current contract was up. And we know they were aware of the MOU then. 

[Bash Riprock]

31 minutes ago, Irishman said:

I get that part. But overall, it's a "convenient" excuse for backing out. None of this was part of the conversation a year ago when SC knew the current contract was up. And we know they were aware of the MOU then. 

Back out?  No one backed out. Both teams couldn’t come to alignment on a new agreement. SC would have continued playing ND had ND agreed on the opening week. Just like OSU and Texas. They were not going to continue playing them during the conference schedule. Can’t blame them one bit. 
 

The CBS sports link I provided above explains the issue well for both sides. 

Edited December 27, 2025 by Bash Riprock

[Irishman]

7 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Back out?  No one backed out. Both teams couldn’t come to alignment on a new agreement. SC would have continued playing ND had ND agreed on the opening week. Just like OSU and Texas. They were not going to continue playing them during the conference schedule. Can’t blame them one bit. 
 

The CBS sports link I provided above explains the issue well for both sides. 

Yep, I read it. Like I said before though, from his first year, Riley talked about ending the series. As Keyshawn said in his video, you have too many non USC people, Riley included, making these decisions for the school. I would also say that USC likely knew Notre Dame would not agree to the arrangement they offered. That said, unless Notre Dame had other commitments or issues, they could have played that week. As far as it being late in the conference season, the SEC plays non conference games late in their conference season. 

[23andCounting]

Long story short: 

Big Ten schedule = two potential losses

Notre Dame = third loss, essentially putting USC out of the playoffs. 

Let's not beat around the bush. USC knew ND wouldn't agree to a Week 0 game. Essentially, they got what they wanted. A break from one of the Top 3 teams in the country. "Let's see how it goes and revisit this down the road." We can sit here and analyze this from many different angles. But in the end, it's much simpler than most think. 

[Bash Riprock]

9 hours ago, Irishman said:

Yep, I read it. Like I said before though, from his first year, Riley talked about ending the series. As Keyshawn said in his video, you have too many non USC people, Riley included, making these decisions for the school. I would also say that USC likely knew Notre Dame would not agree to the arrangement they offered. That said, unless Notre Dame had other commitments or issues, they could have played that week. As far as it being late in the conference season, the SEC plays non conference games late in their conference season. 

Yea….SEC plays FCS and other gimme games against mid majors late in the season. SEC teams do not schedule games against top tier opponents late in the season. Regardless, SC is now in the Big 10 and no BIG teams schedule nonconference games late in the season. Tell me, why would ND care if the game against SC is the opener?? Why would they decline? Lots of teams open up with big games, as it’s a great way to kickoff the new season with excitement. 
 

I like ND…my basement decor would confirm and I’ve been blessed over the years to watch ND play at home and on the road. But they want their cake and to eat it as well. They want to be the only power to stay independent but set their terms for scheduling. Along the way, ND has dropped other rivalries such as Michigan, Michigan State, etc. settings terms as to when they play on a periodic basis. I’m just saying it’s not going to be as easy in the future to set terms scheduling P4s and they absolutely share in the blame with SC in this series ending. Those that wish to point the finger at one side or another are just simply biased fans. 

18 minutes ago, 23andCounting said:

Long story short: 

Big Ten schedule = two potential losses

Notre Dame = third loss, essentially putting USC out of the playoffs. 

Let's not beat around the bush. USC knew ND wouldn't agree to a Week 0 game. Essentially, they got what they wanted. A break from one of the Top 3 teams in the country. "Let's see how it goes and revisit this down the road." We can sit here and analyze this from many different angles. But in the end, it's much simpler than most think. 

Why would ND not agree to an opening game against SC? 

[gonzoron]

Thankfully the Southern Methodists didn't back away from playing Notre Dame like the Southern California Methodists did.  I mean, it's California did we expect anything else besides a bunch of cowards?

[Komets2727]

4 hours ago, 23andCounting said:

Long story short: 

Big Ten schedule = two potential losses

Notre Dame = third loss, essentially putting USC out of the playoffs. 

Let's not beat around the bush. USC knew ND wouldn't agree to a Week 0 game. Essentially, they got what they wanted. A break from one of the Top 3 teams in the country. "Let's see how it goes and revisit this down the road." We can sit here and analyze this from many different angles. But in the end, it's much simpler than most think. 

Top 3 team in the country? Based on what? Your viewpoint? 

[gonzoron]

21 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Top 3 team in the country? Based on what? Your viewpoint? 

Notre Dame is actually 4th with 970 wins. Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama are 1-3.

Indiana is #1 at the top of the most losses ever column.

[Irishman]

15 minutes ago, gonzoron said:

Indiana is #1 at the top of the most losses ever column.

They moved to the 2 spot this season. Northwestern passed them for 1st place. 

[Bash Riprock]

20 minutes ago, Irishman said:

They moved to the 2 spot this season. Northwestern passed them for 1st place. 

Hey Irish...looks like you had to respond to a post that had nothing to do with this thread topic...did that come from the resident GID thread policeman??  If so, seems a little like "do as I say, not as I do".......😉

[Irishman]

🙂

[gonzoron]

20 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Hey Irish...looks like you had to respond to a post that had nothing to do with this thread topic...did that come from the resident GID thread policeman??  If so, seems a little like "do as I say, not as I do".......😉

It absolutely has bearing on the topic. Notre Dame can possibly pass Alabama on the list in 2026. Go back to ignoring me if you can't even get in a good insult, troll. 

[23andCounting]

1 hour ago, Komets2727 said:

Top 3 team in the country? Based on what? Your viewpoint? 

My viewpoint? I suppose you could say that. They played for a national title last year and this year were ranked between 3-5 according to most metrics. Vegas had them either third or fourth most likely to win this year. So yeah, going back two years, you could say they are a Top 3 program. That can't be disputed, unless of course you claim being smarter than Vegas. 

At the end of the day, USC saw the writing on the wall. They lost seven of the last eight to Notre Dame and they know the Irish will continue to be dominant as long as Marcus Freeman is the coach. In the current state of the USC program, having Notre Dame on the schedule coupled with the brutal Big Ten, their resume screams three losses............just enough to put them out of the playoff. So probably the best strategic move for USC if they want to be a playoff team. 

[Komets2727]

3 hours ago, gonzoron said:

Notre Dame is actually 4th with 970 wins. Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama are 1-3.

Indiana is #1 at the top of the most losses ever column.

Hey Gonzo, what the Hell are you talking about? Nobody was talking about all time wins, we were talking about this year. 

[gonzoron]

4 hours ago, Komets2727 said:

Top 3 team in the country? Based on what? Your viewpoint? 

 

53 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Hey Gonzo, what the Hell are you talking about? Nobody was talking about all time wins, we were talking about this year. 

Lol, you don't say 1 word about this year in the post I responded to. You're special aren't you?

Edited December 27, 2025 by gonzoron

[Komets2727]

1 hour ago, gonzoron said:

 

Lol, you don't say 1 word about this year in the post I responded to. You're special aren't you?

Wow, everyone is talking about this year. Go back to Sesame Street Gonzo…

[gonzoron]

24 minutes ago, Komets2727 said:

Wow, everyone is talking about this year. Go back to Sesame Street Gonzo…

Wrong again, but regardless, this year, next year, it doesn't really matter when talking Notre Dame. They're in the top 4 every year because they have a long history of winning, same as Michigan, Ohio State and Alabama. Notre Dame doesn't need to wait 50+ years between Bowl games and then start squawking about how great they are, they can do it every single year, not just 2 out of 60. That team in Bloomington is changing their school song to this:

 

Edited December 27, 2025 by gonzoron