The MOU language as it relates to Notre Dame has not changed since it was communicated to Big Ten schools last year, a second source says.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 23, 2025
The news of USC’s decision to end the series with Notre Dame set social media on fire, but one of the Trojans’ reasons has been debunked.
USC cited the fact the Irish will have a much easier time making the College Football Playoff. In the fall, it was reported by Yahoo! that a memorandum of understanding on the new playoff structure assured Notre Dame inclusion in the field if it was in the top 12 or top 14 of the playoff committee’s rankings depending on the size of the field.
Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports shared on social media that every Big Ten team was made aware of this change including all of the new members in March of 2024. Interestingly, the Trojans’ administration is claiming it had no idea of this change, and it was a big part of its decision to end the rivalry series she also said.
At the end of the day, it’s USC making the choice to end the battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh. They’ll have to live with decision, as it’s a very bad look for the Trojans overall.
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