Lincoln Riley discusses USC-Notre Dame rivalry at Big Ten Media Days

This week marks Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. On Tuesday, USC head coach Lincoln Riley took to the podium for his first press conference of the 2026 season.

>One of the questions that Riley was asked was about the future of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry. Riley was firm in his stance that he wants the Trojans and Irish to face off again soon.

>"Nothing's changed from my vantage point," Riley said. "We want to play the game. I want to play the game. We would be playing the game had some things come true that were said. Hopefully we get to that point.

>"Obviously we want it to happen. I know our fan base wants it to happen. College football wants it to happen. Hopefully I'm up here next year talking about that game here on the future schedule. We'll keep making progress and let you know if we have any more updates."

>This fall will mark just the second time in the past 80 years that the two storied rivals will not meet on the field, joining only the 2020 COVID season. Fans of both USC and Notre Dame are certainly hoping that the pause in the rivalry does not last long, and that the two schools face off again soon.

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>This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Lincoln Riley discusses USC-Notre Dame rivalry at Big Ten Media Days