The ongoing discussions about continuing the expired USC-Notre Dame football rivalry should begin with one basic truth.

Notre Dame needs USC more than USC needs Notre Dame.

One need look no further than Sunday, when the Fighting Irish will be selected as one of the 12 teams to compete in this season’s College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame needs to profusely, profoundly thank USC.

Notre Dame would not be in this position without USC.

The 10-2 Irish lost their first two games of the season before embarking on their usual cupcake schedule. Somewhere in the muck of forgettable games against the likes of Boise State and Boston College and Navy, they needed a marquee win.

USC showed up in October and gave them the opportunity for that marquee win. Every year USC shows up in the middle o

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