Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman makes case for rivalry with USC to continue
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman makes case for rivalry with USC to continue
Recently, the future of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry has come into question. Although the two storied programs have met every season but one since World War II, they have not extended the series contract beyond the 2026 season. According to reports over the last month, the future of college football's greatest intersectional rivalry appears to be in serious jeopardy.
Recently, in an interview with Fox sports college football analyst Joel Klatt, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stressed the importance of continuing his program's rivalry with the Trojans.
"I mean, you know, you think about rivalries, and I'm sure you can go back to when you played high school football or maybe even before that," Freeman said. "I think back to my high school years, right, and I was from Ohio, played at a high school named Hubert Heights Wayne. Our big rival was Centerville Elks. The guys that come from Centerville that you might know – AJ Hawk, Kirk Herbstreit, Mike Nugent, some really great players. But, that was a huge rivalry, right. Then you go to Ohio State and you play Michigan every year.
"The thing about rivalry games is nobody cares what the record is. You win that game, you view that season as a success.
"Before I ever got to Notre Dame, there's memories I have in my head of great plays in the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. And, I think it's important to continue that rivalry.
"If they ask my opinion, I want to continuously play USC every year, you know? It takes both parties to tangle, right, and it's got to fit both institutions and, you know, they're in a conference and we're not. When do we play? All of those different things. But, I think it's important that we continue to have this rivalry."
For one of the most storied rivalries in the sport to come to an end would be a true college football travesty. Hopefully—for the sake of all football fans—Freeman will get his way, and the two schools will be able to work out an agreement to extend the series long-term.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
Ohio State football misses out on 4-star defensive end for the 2026 class
Ohio State football misses out on 4-star defensive end for the 2026 class It was a mixed bag for Ohio State football recruiting on Thursday. The Buckeyes landed 4-star linebacker Cincere Johnson out of Cleveland Glenville, but then got some sour news with losing out on 4-star defensive end Luke Wafle to the USC Trojans. It was a bit of an about-turn for Wafle. As early as Wednesday evening, it looked as though the Buckeyes were favored to land the priority edge rusher, but USC reportedly made a late push after an official visit and upped the ante with increased NIL money. If you believe the reports from Steve Wiltfong of On3 (subscription required), OSU then came to the table with more money, but the Trojans again came to the table with the money to land his services. Out of Princeton, New Jersey, Wafle is ranked as the No. 6 edge rusher and 55th overall prospect in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He was one of Ohio State's priority targets to cap off the 2026 class, but the Buckeyes will now have to turn their attention elsewhere. After the news, USC holds onto its firm grip on the No. 1 ranked class in the country according to the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings, thanks in large part to a whopping 30 guys who have given their verbal pledge. The Buckeyes remain ranked as the No. 3 class in the 2026 cycle with their 16 total commitments to date. This is just another example of how NIL has changed how difficult it is to predict big-time college football recruiting these days. All indications point to Wafle wanting to be a Buckeye, but the money seemed to change things. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- USA Today
Iowa football among final three schools for 2026 TE
Iowa football may be close to adding a talented tight end to its 2026 recruiting class. Three-star tight end Preston Fryzel revealed on Wednesday that Iowa is among his final three schools alongside Notre Dame and Miami and that he will announce his collegiate commitment on June 23. Fryzel is from Toledo, Ohio, and plays high school ball at Central Catholic. The Hawkeyes were the first of his final three schools to offer, as they did so on April 19, 2025. Fryzel visited Miami to begin the month of June, visited Notre Dame on June 13 and has a visit scheduled with the Hawkeyes on June 20 before his decision date on June 23. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound tight end posted great numbers in 2024, notching 43 receptions for 807 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fryzel helped lead Central Catholic to a 14-2 record and an appearance in the state championship game. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle According to 247Sports, Fryzel is the No. 23 tight end and the No. 24 player from Ohio in the 2026 class. On3 ranks Fryzel as the No. 17 tight end and as the No. 19 player from Ohio. Iowa is hoping that their visit with Fryzel will be enough to get the talented tight end to commit. If he does, Fryzel would be the 10th commit in the 2026 class. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
USA Today
14 hours ago
- USA Today
Notre Dame football offers 2027 Penn State wide receiver commit Khalil Taylor
Notre Dame football offers 2027 Penn State wide receiver commit Khalil Taylor There is a rivalry brewing between Notre Dame and Penn State, and it doesn't just stem from the Irish's College Football Playoff semifinal victory. In the off-season, Notre Dame took the Nittany Lions running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider at the same position, and have been working on recruits like safety Joey O'Brien and cornerback Khary Adams. They've also have had success in landing Pennsylvania offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh on Wednesday. Then on Thursday, the Irish put their hat into the ring for 2027 Penn State commit Khalil Taylor, a 2027 wide receiver. The 5-foot, 11-inch and 180-pounder committed to PSU at the end of March, but that isn't stopping Notre Dame from trying to flip him. Taylor is ranked as the No. 72 overall player in his class by the 247Sports Composite, showing that he's one of the best in the cycle. With the momentum that the Irish have recruiting the state of Pennsylvania, McKeogh and Tyler Merrill committed in the 2026 class, you can't discount Notre Dame from potentially flipping Taylor. This is a recruitment to watch, especially if he makes it to South Bend in the near future.
