USC AD gives 'despicable non answer' about keeping Notre Dame football series alive

As of August 2, the USC Trojans are officially members of the Big Ten. That moment finally arriving once again sparked questions about whether or not the rivalry game between the newest B1G addition and Notre Dame football will continue.

There are definitely some who believe it needs to go by the wayside. Including well paid analysts and pundits like Colin Cowherd. However, others understand the history and tradition that comes with the game. That’s especially important when so many other rivalries across college football have fallen away.

So what did USC athletic director Jen Cohen say when given a chance to assuage fears that the Trojans would no longer be every-year rivals to Notre Dame football? As Irish Sports Update analyst Greg Flamang said, she chose a “despicable non answer.”

Notre Dame football series with USC could be in jeopardy

“Tradition will always be important for us,” Cohen said. “I think that’s what separates USC from a lot of other programs and USC-Notre Dame is a storied rivalry. One that means so much to our fans, not just here but our fans across the country.”

If Cohen had stopped there, it’s a safe bet people would think the rivalry game was safe. That it would stick around forever. But she didn’t stop there. And when the USC AD continued talking, she sounded an awful lot like head coach Lincoln Riley before her.

“Ultimately, we’re always going to do what’s best for our student-athletes and you’re right,” she added. “Things are changing but tradition is part of doing what’s best too. So we’re going to do what we can to honor that and evolve in this space as we go.”

It’s hard to hear a school looking to evolve and think that means they’re keeping the game. That sounds like someone who will eventually decide they no longer need to play Notre Dame football.