All this talk about Notre Dame's role in the Stanford-Cal problem got me to thinking of the ND-USC relationship. Here's the question. If USC said "we are dropping the series until you join the Big Ten," what would ND do? What if the Irish hardliners had to choose between independence and the USC series? I am not saying USC would do this, but I am just asking "what if?" One of the reasons I don't think USC would do this is because, 1) they obviously love the rivalry too and don't want to box ND in. 2) USC might like the game as "Independent ND" vs. "Conference-affiliated USC". And 3) and maybe this is subtle if inconsequential, I get a little sense that at least some USC people are already miffed at the B1G for inviting Oregon (I don't get the Ducknophobia, but I digress). To me, the ND-USC game is one of the top rivalries in the sport. Maybe number one (I totally love the Jeweled Shillelagh). I can't imagine either side without the game, particularly ND.