"USC Coach Lincoln Riley Under Fire For Possible Extinguishing of Notre Dame Rivalry"
The USC Trojans, despite a promising outlook following a challenging 2024 season and a more favorable schedule for 2025, find themselves embroiled in controversy surrounding their intersectional rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The long-standing tradition of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is at stake, with USC taking a cautious stance on its future.
Lincoln Riley, the Trojans' head coach, has faced harsh criticism from former players and alumni, with one prominent example being Petros Papadakis, a former captain and current Fox Sports analyst. Papadakis expressed his displeasure on John Canzano's radio show, accusing Riley of potentially ending the nearly century-old rivalry out of personal dislike.
Papadakis argued that the USC-Notre Dame rivalry transcends the current landscape of college football, including conference realignment, NIL, and television company influence. He questioned Lincoln Riley's standing in the grand scheme of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry, stating that the coach's strategic decisions should not dictate the future of the tradition.
Additionally, Papadakis criticized critics who defend Riley and the USC program, particularly those without a direct association with either university. He took issue with the perception that these individuals suddenly become advocates for USC simply because they support Lincoln Riley.
The potential end of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry could have significant implications for college football, potentially setting a precedent for other historic rivalries to be altered or discontinued. While the USC athletic department has made strides in improving its program, many fans on both sides are calling for the preservation of this long-standing tradition, rather than prioritizing easier opponents for potential playoff advantages.
Riley has yet to make a clear statement on the continuation of the rivalry, leaving many to question his commitment to upholding tradition in favor of strategic decisions. There's a widespread belief among fans that even if it means sacrificing a few playoff opportunities, preserving the USC-Notre Dame rivalry is more important.
Lincoln Riley's strategic decisions regarding the USC-Notre Dame rivalry have sparked intense debate, with Petros Papadakis, a former USC captain and Fox Sports analyst, accusing him of potentially ending the historic football rivalry out of personal dislike. Papadakis believes that Riley should not allow his standing in the grand scheme of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry to dictate the future of the tradition, arguing that it transcends the current landscape of college sports.
