USC, Notre Dame actively discussing renewal of rivalry series, per report
By Ethan Stone
Published:
USC and Notre Dame are actively discussing a potential renewal of their rivalry series, via Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times.
The Trojans and Fighting Irish put their non-conference series on hold following the 2025 season and according to Kartje, it’s possible the pair won’t meet again until at least 2030.
However, USC and Notre Dame are now back in discussions because the latter has recently been more willing to play the series early in the season, as requested by USC. Notre Dame had originally wanted the matchup to be played in October or later in the calendar, as the rivalry has been set in the past.
It’s important to remember that Notre Dame has less options to deal with when building a schedule later in the season as the remainder of college football enters conference play. On top of that, there’s no incentive for power conference programs to schedule Notre Dame with more league games and a clearer path to the College Football Playoff. While it’s less enjoyable for fans, the perspective checks out — why take the unnecessary risk?
In many ways, Notre Dame needs this series more than USC, so it makes sense that the Irish would be more willing to negotiate.
Notre Dame has won 3 straight over the Trojans and holds a 51-37-5 series lead.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
