Sounds like Purdue wants to join the Trail of Cowards when it comes to Notre Dame

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 04: Head coach Barry Odom of the Purdue Boilermakers, seen here prior to a game against Indiana State Sycamores, recently gave a typical response to a reporter's inquiry about future football schedules during a press conference. The Notre Dame rivalry has been a frequent subject of discussion for Purdue, with Odom stating, "doing what's best for the program."

Odom, in his second season as head coach at Purdue, emphasized that geographical considerations might cause issues for the rivalry, as Notre Dame is located far away. The head coach's comments align with similar statements made by other coaches, such as Lincoln Riley at USC and Curt Cignetti at Indiana. Riley was notably involved in dismantling the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh, while Cignetti has been cautious about making any commitments.

Steve Sarkisian of Texas also flirted with the idea of dropping Notre Dame from his schedule, but his enthusiasm for challenging football games appears to be unfounded. Odom's remarks do not seem to resonate with most Notre Dame fans and alumni, who do not consider the game particularly important. Ultimately, the issue raises questions about the decisions dictated by coaches who may not be in their positions for long, and the wavering resolve of athletic directors to stand firm in their positions.