Thu Jan 01 23:30:00 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The college football world is undergoing significant changes. With USC leaving for the Big Ten and ending its annual rivalry game with Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish’s independent status is under increasing scrutiny. Notre Dame’s preferential deal guaranteeing them a playoff spot if ranked in the top 12 has sparked controversy. Analyst Joel Klatt is leading calls for the SEC and Big Ten to boycott scheduling games with Notre Dame until they join a conference. USC head coach Lincoln Riley also blames Notre Dame for the hiatus in their rivalry, claiming the Irish didn’t honor their commitment to play anytime, anywhere. The future scheduling relationships with Notre Dame are now in question.
News Article:
College Football Analyst Calls for Power Conferences to Boycott Notre Dame Scheduling
The Spun, Dec 31, 2025 – College football is facing a major shift as pressure mounts on Notre Dame to abandon its independent status and join a conference. Fueling the fire is the recent cancellation of the storied USC-Notre Dame rivalry, and the revelation of a favorable College Football Playoff agreement that guarantees the Fighting Irish a spot if ranked in the top 12.
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt has ignited a firestorm by urging the SEC and Big Ten to boycott scheduling games with Notre Dame until the university commits to joining a conference. Klatt argues that Notre Dame’s independence gives them an unfair advantage, citing their easier schedule compared to conference teams battling tougher opponents.
“It does not behoove anybody to schedule Notre Dame,” Klatt declared on FS1’s The Herd. “They have such an advantage… There’s this minimum bar where all Notre Dame has to do is be in the Top 12 with their schedule? That’s crazy.”
The cancellation of the USC rivalry appears to be the catalyst. USC head coach Lincoln Riley directly blamed Notre Dame for the break in the series, stating that Notre Dame failed to follow through on a promise to play the Trojans “anytime, anywhere.”
“Had Notre Dame lived up to their word… we would be playing in the next two years,” Riley stated ahead of USC’s Alamo Bowl game. “They did not follow through on it… We at SC would love for the game to continue.”
The growing discontent raises serious questions about Notre Dame’s future scheduling. Whether other power conferences will heed Klatt’s call remains to be seen. The push for conference affiliation is growing louder, fueled by concerns about competitive fairness and the evolving landscape of college football. The Irish may soon be forced to choose between independence and the respect of its peers.
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