Heated rivalries are a cornerstone of college football. Unfortunately, conference expansion has come with the price of some of these rivalries weakening or disappearing. Oregon-Oregon State and the Apple Cup (Washington-Washington State) both weakened as the Ducks and Huskies headed for the Big Ten in 2024, while the Beavers and Cougars were relegated to the Group of Six. The Apple Cup will be played to open the 2026 season, but Oregon and Oregon State opted not to renew their rivalry. Bedlam disappeared from the annual rivalry week slate when Oklahoma left the Big 12 for the SEC. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State do not plan on renewing their rivalry for the foreseeable future. However, one rivalry has been axed without conference expansion as a key reason. After playing each other annually for virtually a century, USC and Notre Dame will not meet in 2026.…