Few rivalries in college football carry the kind of weight that USC-Notre Dame does. This isn’t just a game-it’s a tradition that’s spanned nearly a century, packed with Heisman moments, national title implications, and enough star power on both sidelines to make Hollywood and the heartland proud.
It’s glitz meets grit, West Coast flair colliding with Midwest muscle. And for generations of fans, it’s been a staple of the sport’s soul.
Since their first meeting in the 1920s, the Trojans and the Fighting Irish have faced off 93 times, creating one of the most enduring and unique rivalries in college football. What makes it stand out?
For starters, it’s one of the few major intersectional rivalries-two powerhouse programs that don’t share a conference, yet have met almost every year since World War II. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s helped turn this matchup into a true measuring stick for greatness.
Whether it was shaping a Heisman campaign or tilting the national title race, USC-Notre Dame has always meant more than just wins and losses.
But now, for the first time since the 1940s-with one brief exception-the rivalry is hitting pause. And the reason? A shift in the College Football Playoff landscape that’s left USC rethinking the future of the series.
The CFP Deal That Changed Everything
According to multiple reports, USC and Notre Dame were on the verge of extending the rivalry through at least 2026. The Trojans had even agreed to play the 2026 matchup in November-something that typically favors the Irish, given the colder Midwest climate that late in the season. That kind of flexibility showed just how committed both sides were to keeping the tradition alive.
Then came a curveball.
Notre Dame reached a memorandum of understanding with the College Football Playoff that guarantees the Irish a spot in the expanded playoff if they finish in the top 12. That’s a significant edge for an independent program. But here’s the kicker: USC reportedly wasn’t aware of this agreement during the scheduling talks.
Once the Trojans learned about the CFP deal, things changed. USC officials viewed the guaranteed playoff access as a “material advantage” for Notre Dame-especially when the Trojans, now a Big Ten member, would have to navigate a grueling conference schedule just to earn a similar shot.
With that in mind, USC pushed to move the 2026 game to Week Zero, hoping to level the playing field a bit. Notre Dame declined.
The result? The rivalry will go dark in 2026 and 2027. Notre Dame has already filled the open dates with a home-and-home series against BYU.
A Loss That Hits Deeper Than the Schedule
This isn’t just a scheduling conflict-it’s a gut punch for college football fans. Rivalries like USC-Notre Dame are the heartbeat of the sport.
They’re the kind of games that define seasons, connect generations, and deliver moments that live forever in highlight reels and family stories. And now, one of the most iconic matchups in college football is off the calendar, at least for the next two years.
Sure, the business side of the game matters. Playoff access, strength of schedule, and long-term program strategy are all part of the modern college football equation. But when those factors start to chip away at the traditions that made the sport special in the first place, fans are right to feel a sense of loss.
There’s hope the rivalry will return-maybe even stronger than before. But for now, the fall Saturdays that once featured the cardinal and gold lining up against the blue and gold will feel a little emptier.
Because some games aren’t just games. They’re history.
They’re identity. And losing USC-Notre Dame, even temporarily, is a reminder of just how delicate that legacy can be.