Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is not muddying his position on one of the oldest rivalries in college football. Speaking after the Fighting Irish team made history by reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship game, Freeman favors continuing the Fighting Irish’s series with USC.
Even though scheduling the big contest is getting harder, conference realignment also is taking place.
Marcus Freeman’s Unwavering Commitment to Historic Rivalry
Freeman, 39, who led Notre Dame to a 14-2 record and its first national championship appearance since 1988, isn’t mincing words about the future of the USC series. In a recent appearance on Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Conversations” with Joel Klatt, Freeman addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the rivalry that dates back to 1926.
“One of them that is continuously brought up here in the last month or so is the rivalry we have with USC,” Freeman explained during the interview. “Before I ever got to Notre Dame, there’s memories I have in my head of great plays and the USC Notre Dame rivalry. And I think it’s important to continue that rivalry.”
Freeman said, “And so if they ask my opinion, I want to play USC every year, you know, continuously, and it takes both parties to tangle, right? And it’s got to fit both institutions and, you know, they’re in a conference, we’re not, when do we play, all those different things. But I think it’s important that we continue to have this rivalry.”
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry hangs in the balance as both programs navigate college football’s changing landscape. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 48-37-5.
USC’s move to the Big Ten has created new scheduling pressures, with the Trojans now committed to nine conference games annually. The current contract expires after this October’s game in South Bend, Indiana, with USC offering only a one-year extension while Notre Dame seeks a long-term agreement.
Despite these challenges, Freeman remains adamant about preserving college football’s traditions. “I think rivalries are great for college football, and I think they’re great for sports because that’s the one game of year you throw out records,” he said.
Freeman’s dedication to keeping this rivalry alive surrounds memories of great games in the past. His words truly emphasize how important some traditions should be kept alive.
