Lincoln Riley Urged to Learn From Key College Football Tradition as USC HC Warned Against Disrespect

Let’s just say, not everyone is clapping for Lincoln Riley‘s next big move. When rumors started swirling that USC could be dropping Notre Dame from its future schedule, the reaction from die-hard fans was instant. College football isn’t just about the playoff and win-loss record. It’s about identity. And the USC vs ND rivalry? That’s not just a game. It’s a heritage. From Anthony Davis to Carson Palmer, from Reggie Bush to Matt Barkley, the Trojans became Trojan legends not just in this rivalry but because of it. You could argue the same for Tim Brown and Lou Holtz. 

The USC vs Notre Dame is the intersectional rivalry that defined college football tradition, starting way back in 1926. No geographic reason for it. Just pure spite and storylines that stretch generations. So, according to former Oregon TE and current college football voice George Wrighster, Lincoln Riley might be fumbling the tradition with his decision. On the Unafraid Show on May 24, he didn’t mince words. “You might win a few more games. You might make it into the playoff but at what cost?” he said. “You’re not just tweaking your schedule, you are erasing your identity. USC is USC because of this rivalry.” And he’s not wrong at all. 

“This is exactly why I respect the Rose Bowl so much,” George Wrighster said. “They still refuse to move off of New Year’s Day even when TV execs and networks, they beg them because they know the one simple truth — Some things are sacred and USC vs ND is one of those things.” Lincoln Riley didn’t grow up in the shadow of this rivalry game. He’s a brilliant coach, no doubt but there’s a danger. “When people don’t come from the cloth, when they don’t understand what these rivalries means in their bones, they treat them just like another line item on the schedule and when that happens, you lose what makes college football different than the pros,” he added. 

And for what? An easier road to the CFP? Notre Dame’s had USC’s numbers lately. The Irish have taken two of the last three, including a 49-35 victory last year in LA that sent Marcus Freeman’s squad to the playoffs, a stage USC has never reached. But if that’s why the Trojans are backing away, it’s a bad look because this rivalry is one of the sport’s few constants. It’s survived world wars, coaching scandals, conference collapses, and now it’s about to be undone? And this isn’t just USC’s problem either. 

Lincoln Riley’s decision affects Notre Dame’s playoff possibility 

Lincoln Riley’s squad might get a more manageable Big Ten schedule with Notre Dame off the list. But the Irish need this rivalry. As an independent team, they don’t have a conference title game or built-in gauntlets to bolster their resume. So beating USC in this renowned rivalry matters. Brent Rollins puts it best — “USC’s in the Big Ten. Now they’ve got to worry about playing the Big Ten [schedule] As much as their fans love the rivalry, that’s another possible L on their schedule. Notre Dame, of course, wants to play it because they need it. They need it for their schedule to look relevant in a way.”

This season, the USC vs Notre Dame will take place on October 25. After 2025? This traditional series may go dark. And for Marcus Freeman, on the cusp of finally having a complete QB in CJ Carr, that could be a killer. Scheduling matters more than ever and removing USC could derail their playoff hopes long term. USC fans might cheer a slightly clearer B1G path. But as Wrighster added, “What good it is to gain the whole world if you lose your soul.” And here’s his simple request — “I know where I stand. Save the rivalry. Keep USC vs Notre Dame and let’s stop trading soul for strategy.”

Let’s hope someone in Heritage Hall still gets it. Some games belong to the sport, not the schedule. 

The post Lincoln Riley Urged to Learn From Key College Football Tradition as USC HC Warned Against Disrespect appeared first on EssentiallySports.