The Fallout of Pausing the Notre Dame-USC Rivalry: Keyshawn Johnson's Criticism and USC's National Championship Pursuit
The decision to pause the longstanding rivalry between Notre Dame and USC has sparked backlash from fans and former Trojan players. Keyshawn Johnson, a former USC and NFL star, criticized USC administrators and head coach Lincoln Riley for allegedly running away from Notre Dame. Johnson expressed disappointment in the athletic department's handling of the situation and questioned the decision to avoid playing Notre Dame until possibly 2030.
The absence of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry has left a void for fans who grew up watching the historic matchup. Johnson called out USC's leadership for potentially avoiding tough opponents like Oregon, Michigan, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. He highlighted the importance of maintaining traditional rivalries in college football and criticized the move to distance USC from Notre Dame.
Notre Dame quickly found a replacement opponent in BYU after USC's decision to pause the rivalry. The Irish's rejection of a matchup with BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl due to player opt-outs influenced USC's concerns about facing Notre Dame late in the season. USC officials believed that a loss to Notre Dame could jeopardize their chances of making the College Football Playoff, leading to the decision to prioritize their national championship pursuit.
The pressure is mounting on Lincoln Riley and USC to deliver results after securing the top recruiting class in the country for 2026. With high expectations and the Notre Dame rivalry on hold, USC's performance in the upcoming seasons will be closely scrutinized. Failure to reach the College Football Playoff could have significant implications for Riley's future at USC, especially after the controversial decision to pause the historic rivalry.