The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 2: USC & Notre Dame Rivalry End & Petros Papadakis Stops By
Date: December 26, 2025
Guests: Brady Quinn, Jonas Knox (hosts for Dan Patrick), Petros Papadakis (guest)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is dominated by a highly charged discussion about the abrupt end to the storied USC–Notre Dame football rivalry, a tradition that has spanned nearly a century. Hosts Jonas Knox and Brady Quinn (filling in for Dan Patrick) dive deep into what the loss of this rivalry means for college football, dissect shifting trends in the sport’s power dynamics, and invite Petros Papadakis—former USC player, broadcaster, and passionate critic of this decision—to offer his candid, emotional perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The New Reality of College Football – Players, Transfers, & Bowl Games

(03:14–13:21)

• Bowl Game Atmosphere: Jonas and Brady lament how bowl games have become less meaningful for players and coaches but admit there’s still a nostalgic joy for fans in random, mid-week holiday games.

• Player Movement: They discuss how all facets of college sports—especially basketball—are experiencing wild player movements due to transfer portals, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), and eligibility extensions from the COVID era.

• Loss of Continuity: There's concern over the lack of connection to teams and rivalries since rosters are now so transient.

  Brady Quinn (08:44):
  “As much as we want to criticize it, this is a model that was essentially made by the NCAA out of negligence ... Now we find ourselves in this position where … there’s never been a more confusing, crazy time in men’s college basketball than right now, where you’ve got legitimate, you know, amateur athletes … competing with pros essentially.”

2. The Demise of the USC–Notre Dame Rivalry

(13:21–19:01)

• Vanishing Traditions: With the rivalry going on indefinite hiatus, the hosts stress the loss for current and future players who’ll never experience its magnitude.

• Why It Matters: Quinn, a Notre Dame alum, emphasizes how vital this game was to his recruitment and college experience, stating the series is a “pillar” that gave both programs national relevance.

  Brady Quinn (15:11):
  “That was part of the reason why you went to Notre Dame. It was for the Notre Dame–SC game. It was for a lot of those rivalries that you played for.”

• Root Causes of the Break: The hosts suggest this wasn’t a Notre Dame decision, but began with USC under coach Lincoln Riley, given logistical and competitive concerns upon joining the Big Ten.

• Historical Context: Quinn points out that the only times the rivalry has paused were due to World War II and Covid—not administrative squabbles.

3. The Blame Game & Lincoln Riley’s Role

(19:05–23:19; main segment with Petros Papadakis starts at 26:56)

• Responsibility: Quinn puts much of the blame on USC’s new leadership, particularly head coach Lincoln Riley and athletic director Jen Cohen, for being unwilling to “continue the tradition.” He suggests previous coaches (like Pete Carroll) would never have shirked the opportunity, even in down years.

Petros Papadakis Interview

(26:56–46:21, core interview)

Petros on the End of the Rivalry

• Emotional Response: Petros is transparently disgusted and angry about the break (“abortion of everything college football is supposed to be”—[32:06]) and says both schools’ administrators failed at their duty to preserve tradition.

• Leadership Vacuum at USC: He details how USC lacks strong leadership (no university president; a “corroded” administration) and criticizes Lincoln Riley in particular for seeking out “winnable games” and avoiding challenging non-conference opponents.

  Petros Papadakis:

  “Ever since Lincoln Riley got the USC job, he has tried to wriggle out of games that were non-conference, that were difficult ... This guy is preoccupied with making sure they have winnable games all the time. That’s not what the USC coach is supposed to be.”
  ([28:21])

• Tradition vs. Playoff Mentality: Petros ridicules the logic of abandoning a century-old rivalry just to increase playoff odds. He points out USC’s success and identity are because of playing—and often beating—Notre Dame.

  Petros (36:12):
  “We’re not going to do something that identifies us as USC football so we can maybe make a college football playoff ... What is the playoff? There's gonna be 20 teams in the playoff in a couple years. To me, it’s like cutting off your arm because there’s a cool sleeveless jacket that’s on the market.”

• Scathing on Lincoln Riley & Supporters:
  Petros calls out others—particularly ex-players like Matt Leinart (by name)—for not vocally objecting, suggesting “anybody that's a USC football player ... that can turn around and say, ‘this is for the best because USC has to go to Nebraska in October now’ ... I’m sure it’s pretty hard for those people to look in the mirror.”
  ([38:22])

“Abortion of Tradition” & the Larger Meaning

• Petros keeps returning to the idea that this symbolizes the loss of all that was sacred about college football—rivalries that transcended conference realignment, TV deals, and playoff structures.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brady Quinn (13:50):
  “There’s going to be guys that attend USC and Notre Dame who never know that rivalry. Like, there’s going to be a gap of players who never took part in that rivalry. It’s kind of wild.”

• Petros Papadakis (32:06):
  "Honestly, and I’m not saying this to be hyperbolic, it’s over. This is an abortion of everything that college football is supposed to be."

• Petros Papadakis (37:36):
  “I don’t know how I’m going to go forward and even talk about USC football, because to me, they just get rid of the band and get a DJ and start playing at BMO Stadium and change the colors to whatever is really, really cool right now … Just forget it. It’s over.”

• Petros Papadakis (43:00):
  “It makes sense if you start from the premise that Lincoln Riley doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t want to play games they might lose.”

• Brady Quinn (46:07):
  “It’s sad to think that Lincoln Riley’s had that much control and he is, you know, tried to find ways out of fighting through adversity, since he’s been there at SC.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bowl game/player movement/NIL discussion: 03:14–13:21
• Dissecting the end of the USC–Notre Dame rivalry: 13:21–19:01
• Blame and background—USC's decision-making: 19:05–23:19
• Petros Papadakis interview (full): 26:56–46:21
• Peak emotion/final statement from Petros: 32:06, 37:36, 43:00

Overall Tone

The tone is passionate, sometimes sardonic and biting, with moments of resigned sadness at the state of college sports. Petros Papadakis, in particular, brings unfiltered candor and raw emotion as a former USC player betrayed by his alma mater’s loss of tradition. The hosts echo his disappointment but analyze the situation with a mix of nostalgia, realism, and exasperation.

For Listeners New to the Episode

This hour offers an essential breakdown of why the end of the USC–Notre Dame series is about more than just one rivalry losing its spot on the calendar. It’s a lens into how big money, weak leadership, and short-term thinking are unraveling the very fabric of college football. The conversation is insightful, sometimes fiery, and always rooted in a love for tradition and the unique culture of college sports.

Contributors:

• Jonas Knox: Host, commentator
• Brady Quinn: Co-host, Notre Dame alumnus, analyst
• Petros Papadakis: Former USC captain, broadcaster, special guest

Notable Quotes (Quick Reference):

• Petros Papadakis: “This is an abortion of everything that college football is supposed to be.” (32:06)
• Brady Quinn: “There’s going to be guys that attend USC and Notre Dame who never know that rivalry.” (13:50)
• Petros Papadakis: “It makes sense if you start from the premise that Lincoln Riley doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t want to play games they might lose.” (43:00)

For more, tune in to the full segment or follow Petros Papadakis (@TheOldP) for continued commentary on the ever-changing landscape of college football.