Though she did not explicitly mention Notre Dame, it was impossible to read the statement on future nonconference scheduling from USC athletic director Jen Cohen and not think about the future of the series between the Irish and the Trojans.
On Friday, Cohen put out a statement to reporters stressing that future scheduling decisions would be based on “what is best for the success of our football program.” The future of the series with Notre Dame has been a hot-button topic for months. Cohen said Friday that USC wants to play nonconference opponents at home “as early as possible every year.”
This year, the Trojans played Notre Dame in South Bend on Oct. 18. Last year, the two teams met in Los Angeles on Nov. 30.
Notre Dame, which has won 7 of the last 8 games in the series, has played USC on or after Oct. 12 every year since 1926, when the first meeting between the 2 schools took place.
“USC is the only team in the Big Ten to play a nonconference road game after Week 4 in either of the past 2 seasons. USC is also the only team to play a nonconference game after Week 4 in both seasons,” Cohen said in her statement. “Intentionally making our road to the CFP significantly more difficult than our Big Ten peers does not align with our goal to win championships.”
Cohen mentioned that USC is the only FBS program to have never played an FCS opponent. She said USC wants to play “meaningful” games and will continue to schedule at least one power conference opponent outside of Big Ten play.
“If that opponent is a rival with whom we share a long and storied tradition, all the better,” Cohen said.
