Notre Dame defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah (31) leaps to try to break up a pass during the 2021 game against USC at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

Notre Dame has since used Riley’s comments as public leverage, putting the responsibility for the rivalry’s future on USC. “It’s pretty black and white for me.

Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman chat before the game at Notre Dame Stadium.

All the reshuffling of schedules, conferences and playoff formats in college football has placed one of the sport's best traditions in peril: the USC-Notre Dame game. USC’s move to the Big Ten ...