“TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION: Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua Reflects on USC Rivalry and the Changing College Football Playoff Format”
Pete Bevacqua knew when he took over as Notre Dame’s athletic director that he was stepping into more than just a job — he was inheriting a sacred trust. As the successor to Jack Swarbrick, he now carries the weight of tradition and the forward momentum of one of the most storied athletic programs in the country. Bevacqua, a Notre Dame alum, didn’t have to be taught the value of the Fighting Irish’s legacy. It’s in his DNA. And perhaps nowhere does that legacy burn more fiercely than in the annual showdown against USC. But in a rapidly evolving college football landscape dominated by realignment, playoff expansion, and TV contracts, the AD finds himself walking a tightrope — preserving the tradition that defines Notre Dame while embracing the changes necessary to stay competitive. His recent remarks about the USC rivalry and the College Football Playoff format reveal a leader determined to navigate both worlds with clarity and conviction.
Bevacqua’s reverence for the Notre Dame–USC rivalry is evident. Few matchups in college football history have spanned as much time, space, and meaning as this coast-to-coast clash. First played in 1926, it has symbolized not only football excellence but also a bridge between Midwestern grit and West Coast glamour. To fans of both programs, it’s more than just a game. It’s history. It’s identity. And for Notre Dame, it has often been a measuring stick — a way of proving itself on a national scale long before the playoff era began. So when Bevacqua speaks on the topic, it’s with the kind of weight that comes from living and breathing Irish football, not simply managing it from a boardroom.
But even sacred traditions must face the pressure of change. With USC’s move to the Big Ten and the complexities of a growing and evolving College Football Playoff model, questions have emerged about whether this cherished rivalry can endure uninterrupted. Travel schedules, conference obligations, and competitive priorities are all being reshuffled. Bevacqua, while optimistic, doesn’t shy away from the reality that scheduling this game annually may become more complicated in the future. Still, he remains committed to preserving it for as long as possible.
He acknowledges that rivalries are part of what makes college football unique. Unlike the NFL, where parity and revenue often drive decisions, college football runs on the fuel of emotion, memory, and history. Games like Notre Dame–USC aren’t just circled on calendars; they’re etched in hearts. For Bevacqua, maintaining the integrity of that rivalry isn’t just a marketing decision — it’s a moral one. It signals to recruits, alumni, and fans that Notre Dame still values its roots even as it builds for the future.
His insights also reflect a broader awareness of the shifting terrain across college football. The newly expanded College Football Playoff format, which will now include 12 teams, fundamentally alters the postseason landscape. For independent programs like Notre Dame, this format poses unique challenges. Without a conference championship game, Notre Dame faces a structural disadvantage — no matter how strong the regular season, it will likely never earn a first-round bye under current CFP rules. Bevacqua has been clear about his reservations here. While he supports the concept of playoff expansion as a way to increase access and opportunity, he questions whether the current model adequately accounts for the distinct path that independents must walk.
Notre Dame has always prized its independence. It’s part of the university’s mystique. The freedom to schedule nationally, to represent not just a region but a global brand, and to maintain a unique identity outside of a conference structure — all of this has been essential to the Fighting Irish story. But Bevacqua knows that the price of independence may be rising. With conferences consolidating power and media rights driving more and more decisions, Notre Dame could find itself increasingly isolated. Still, he remains firm: independence remains the goal. At least for now.
His tone is neither defensive nor dismissive. Instead, Bevacqua speaks like a man constantly evaluating the chessboard, understanding that while tradition is vital, it cannot be clung to blindly. The new playoff format, with its broader inclusivity, could actually be a blessing for Notre Dame — if managed wisely. Bevacqua sees the opportunity. A 12-team bracket means more room for a one-loss or even two-loss Notre Dame team to make its case. It also means more meaningful games late in the season, more pathways to a national title, and more reason for fans to stay engaged from September through December.
Yet the concern over the lack of a bye is valid. It’s not just about rest. It’s about fairness. Why should Notre Dame be penalized simply for choosing a different structure — one that, historically, has never prevented it from playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation? That’s a question Bevacqua intends to keep raising. He understands that college football, like any institution, must evolve. But it must do so without eroding the foundations that made it great. For Notre Dame, one of those foundations is the ability to chart its own course. He believes the playoff should be flexible enough to accommodate that vision.
When asked about potential solutions, Bevacqua doesn’t offer ultimatums. Instead, he emphasizes dialogue, creativity, and partnership. He believes Notre Dame has earned a seat at the table not through entitlement but through consistent excellence. The university has always embraced national scheduling, major bowl appearances, and a standard of integrity that resonates with fans far beyond South Bend. His goal is to make sure that legacy is not only honored but leveraged as college football moves into its next era.
The conversation also veers into television rights and exposure — areas Bevacqua knows well, having served previously as chairman of NBC Sports. He understands better than most the balance between storytelling and strategy. Under his watch, Notre Dame’s partnership with NBC is expected to remain strong, and he views national broadcasts as a vital component of the school’s identity. For Bevacqua, media visibility isn’t just a revenue stream; it’s a reaffirmation of Notre Dame’s unique place in the sport. Maintaining a national profile means maintaining independence. It means staying relevant even in an age where regional super-conferences are becoming the norm.
It’s also clear Bevacqua sees his role as guardian of the student-athlete experience. In a world increasingly dominated by NIL deals, transfer portals, and brand-building, he remains focused on the core mission — education, development, and lifelong impact. That’s not just lip service. Notre Dame, perhaps more than any other football powerhouse, emphasizes academic excellence alongside athletic success. Bevacqua’s leadership reflects that dual commitment. He believes that change is necessary — even healthy — but only if it serves the larger values that define the university.
The USC rivalry, the playoff format, the fight for independence — all of these are threads in a much larger tapestry. And Bevacqua is determined not to let any of them unravel. He sees the need to adapt without losing essence, to grow without forgetting the past. His tenure may still be young, but his perspective is both seasoned and strategic. In many ways, he is the perfect bridge between eras — a Notre Dame man with deep roots and a sharp eye on the horizon.
As college football continues to transform, leaders like Bevacqua will play an increasingly crucial role. They must interpret tradition not as an anchor but as a compass. They must ask hard questions, advocate for fairness, and ensure that the sport doesn’t become unrecognizable in its pursuit of progress. For Notre Dame, the stakes are especially high. The school has built its legacy not just on wins, but on ideals. And under Bevacqua’s leadership, those ideals seem safe — even in a world moving at warp speed.
In the coming years, the Irish will likely face more tough decisions. There may be moments when conference affiliation becomes a tempting option. There will be pressure to keep pace with the Big Ten, the SEC, and whatever new power blocs emerge. But for now, Bevacqua remains focused on what matters most — honoring the past, embracing the future, and ensuring that Notre Dame continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in college football. Whether it’s in the fire of a USC rivalry game or the calculated grind of a playoff race, he wants the Fighting Irish to compete, to lead, and to inspire.
