Marcus Freeman Pushes to Extend Notre Dame-USC Rivalry Amid Uncertain Future

Will Notre Dame and USC play in 2026? 

That remains an unanswered question as the two programs have yet to reach a deal to extend the rivalry. 

Proposals have been made by both sides, including one by Netflix, which were shut down pretty quickly due to USC’s contract with the Big Ten. 

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has said he’ll play the game anywhere at any time, as it’s a rivalry game that should be played on a yearly basis.

On Monday, Freeman believed both sides would eventually get a deal done, but admitted he hadn’t heard if Notre Dame and USC were close to getting future matchups locked in. 

“I know our leadership administration and their leadership administration are talking to try to find a way to extend this rivalry,” stated Freeman. “I'm confident it will be extended, but I don't have any proof that it's being extended right now.

“I know there's discussions and hopefully we can continue this great rivalry. The focus right now for me, obviously, is this one that we have. That's the only one that's guaranteed and put everything we got into this one that we have.” 

While Freeman isn’t part of the negotiations, Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua knows exactly where he stands and why he wants the rivalry to continue. 

“They asked my opinion,” Freeman explained. “It's very clear. Let's continue this thing and that’s it. They handle the rest of it, right? Pete and Ron Powulus and our leadership, they'll handle the discussion with them. They know the head coach of this football program desires to continue this rivalry.”

Why does Freeman want this game to continue? It comes down to the sport. Notre Dame and Michigan saw their rivalry essentially come to an end, and now the Irish are in danger of losing their longest rivalry. 

“It's not just because I'm at Notre Dame,” Freeman said. “It's because I think it's great for college football. I think the rivalry between Notre Dame and USC is a great rivalry and one of the best. I think it's great for college football and the two institutions to continue this rivalry.” 

It’s an interesting time for the rivalry to potentially stop, as Freeman’s former right-hand man, Chad Bowden, is running the show at USC, which means some interesting recruiting battles. 

California has been kind to Notre Dame throughout the years and Bowden knows where to hit Freeman and the Irish program when recruiting in-state prospects.

While Bowden likely isn’t using weather as a point of attack, Freeman is aware that some schools have used weather in the past. 

“Our focus has to be on selling Notre Dame, and I don't know what people would say against us, but maybe they do say that,” stated Freeman. “If snow is going to prevent you from coming to Notre Dame, you're probably not the competitor that we desire to have here. Sometimes it gets cold, but it's pretty nice right now and that's the only thing that I'll say about the weather.” 

Regardless of who is at USC or if Notre Dame plays the Trojans, Freeman is going to look to recruit California and any state where they find players who fit the Fighting Irish program. 

“We have to find the best players in the country,” said Freeman. “I always say that fit this place and there have been a lot of players from California who have fit this place who have done a really good job at Notre Dame. We have to continue to find those guys and convince them that this is the right place.” 

Saturday will be an important measuring stick on the field, but also off the field as USC enters the weekend with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, while the Irish aren’t far behind sitting at No. 4. 

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