Colin Cowherd: Notre Dame Came 'Crawling Back' To USC

As an unabashed USC Trojans fan, Colin Cowherd was practically over the moon to learn that talks between USC and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are resuming after reports that their historic rivalry game was getting axed. But Cowherd also decided to call it a victory for the Trojans.

On Tuesday's episode of his show, Cowherd declared that Notre Dame must have come "crawling back" to talk to USC about resuming the series. He stated that USC doesn't need Notre Dame on their schedule nearly as much as Notre Dame needs them.

"USC and Notre Dame are talking again, because Notre Dame came crawling back..." Cowherd said. "USC has all the leverage. USC is in the toughest football conference. Money is rolling at USC. They don't need another cold-weather game in October sandwiched between the Buckeyes and the Hoosier games. They don't need it.

"Notre Dame needs it because Notre Dame has discovered, as the Big Ten has added Oregon, Washington, USC, and as the SEC has added Texas and Oklahoma, they have become super conferences. And now, because of NIL, even Vanderbilt and Indiana are good. So nobody wants to play Notre Dame."

Notre Dame Fans Clap Back

As you might expect, Notre Dame's most prideful fans didn't appreciate Cowherd implying that they "need" anyone, let alone their most bitter rival.

"Yea the news of the 24 team playoff has no factor here… or the rumblings that the SC alumni is PISSED at Riley and co for cancelling this game. Or the fact southern cal is 3-15 against ND in the last 15 years. But keep lying to everyone Trojan boy," one fan said dismissively.

"More PR spin from usc's mouthpiece. Stick to the NFL, Colin. You don't like anything that makes college football college football," another wrote.

"I wonder when USC called Coward to make this prewritten segment," wrote a third.

"What fantastic fiction this is. USC broke the deal and is not only open to reconsidering because the playoff field will be at 24 teams, at least, by the time the rivalry resumes."

There's also the more important issue to discuss as to whether the "report" is even true.

Despite the report of "discussions" going on, there's no word on if they'll be successful. The two teams won't be facing off in 2026 and they don't have long to schedule their open opponents for 2027.

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This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM.