So, USC football and Notre Dame arranged toresume their rivalry. Is it better than nothing? Sure it is. Is it some kind of triumph which should be hailed from the rooftops with joyful celebrations? Not at all.
College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff has been dragging its feet in terms of expansion, so in truth, USC never really gained leverage since the series was interrupted. It always came across, right or wrong - fair or foul - that USC was afraid of being left out of the playoff due to a possible loss to Notre Dame. That was weak. It still is.
Just beat the Irish
Why was USC afraid of having to play one more tough game? We're USC. Trojans don't back down from a fight. The sensitivity around this scheduling issue was always overblown. Just win the game. That always should
have been USC's approach.
Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman share blame
We have never said or implied Notre Dame was blameless or held the high ground. Marcus Freeman's now-infamous statement that we'll play anytime and anywhere turned out to be false bluster. It wasn't backed up by the school. While USC certainly carries a large share of the blame for the interruption, Notre Dame could have just agreed to playing the game in September, but it didn't. This was a disgraceful game of chicken on both sides, not merely one.
What did either school achieve?
Absolutely nothing. No further comment needed.
The 100th anniversary that might have been
In an alternate universe, USC and Notre Dame would have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of this series in Los Angeles this Thanksgiving. USC and Notre Dame could have worn double-home uniforms, the Irish in green and not blue. It would have been a spectacular and colorful way to honor this historic and treasured college football series. Instead, the teams won't even play. It's a disgrace.
Bare minimum
No one deserves to take a victory lap here. This is the minimum action required. This is not some special achievement. Hopefully everyone at USC and Notre Dame has been humbled by the experience, and the series won't be interrupted ever again for football reasons. (A war or a pandemic? What can you do then?)
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC-Notre Dame rivalry renewal is not a time for celebration
