Conference realignment has thrown a wrench in many of college football's traditional rivalries, but at least one Big Ten coach says he feels a new one brewing with Michigan.
USC head coach Lincoln Riley said at Big Ten Media Days that the past two season's games against Michigan have taken on the air of a rivalry. Riley emphasized that the rivalry isn't replacing the Trojans' traditional rivalries, such as the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh with Southern Cal or The Game with Michigan.
The Trojans have a history of clashes with Michigan, including eight Rose Bowls from 1948 to 2007, which the Trojans dominated, winning six of those games. The last meeting before USC joined the Big Ten was its 32-18 win over Michigan in the 2007 Rose Bowl.
Riley believes that the rivalry with Michigan will be similar to the one with Ohio State, a natural rivalry due to the histories of both schools individually and together. USC ranked fourth in USA Today's preseason Big Ten poll, while Michigan ranked fifth, both teams having a 9-4 record last season.
The rivalry has been fueled by two close games in the past two seasons, including Michigan's 27-24 win over USC in 2024 at Michigan Stadium and USC's 31-13 win over Michigan in Los Angeles in 2025. Riley feels that this rivalry has "a little bit of juice behind it."
While the rivalry between USC and Michigan is gaining momentum, it's unlikely to surpass the importance of the Trojans' traditional rivalries with Notre Dame and UCLA. However, the rivalry with Michigan is one that Riley is looking forward to building more history with.
Michigan's Kalel Mullings ran in a 1-yard, fourth down touchdown with 37 seconds left to beat USC in 2024, and Riley believes that the Trojans will have a similar rivalry with several teams in the Big Ten. USC is set to face several traditional Big Ten teams this season, including Michigan, which is in the first year under former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
The Trojans will have to wait another year to face Michigan, but Riley is looking forward to building more history with the Wolverines. The question remains whether the rivalry will continue to grow and become a major fixture in college football.
Source: Yahoo Sports