One of college football’s most iconic rivalries is hitting the pause button - and not because anyone wanted it to. USC and Notre Dame, two programs with nearly a century of gridiron history between them, won’t face off in 2026. That’s right: the annual clash between the Trojans and the Fighting Irish, a tradition that’s weathered wars, pandemics, and coaching changes, is being sidelined - at least for now.
The two schools released a joint statement confirming the news, saying they couldn’t come to an agreement on scheduling for the 2026 season. Both acknowledged how much the rivalry means - not just to their fan bases, but to the fabric of college football itself. Still, good intentions weren’t enough to get a deal done.
So what happened? It came down to timing - literally.
USC proposed moving the game to Week Zero, the weekend before the regular season officially kicks off. The idea wasn’t random.
With the Trojans now adjusting to life in the Big Ten, where cross-country travel and a more physical slate of opponents await, they were looking for an edge. Playing in Week Zero would’ve given USC an extra bye week later in the season - a strategic move in a conference where late-season fatigue can be the difference between a playoff berth and staying home.
But Notre Dame wasn’t on board. The Irish reportedly rejected the Week Zero proposal last week, which effectively ended the negotiations. From their side, there wasn’t enough incentive to shift such a marquee game to the very start of the season - especially when they already have a unique path to the College Football Playoff.
Starting in 2026, Notre Dame is expected to be guaranteed a playoff spot if it finishes in the top 12 of the final rankings. That’s a significant advantage, particularly for a program not tied to a conference championship game.
USC officials saw that as a potential imbalance - and understandably so. A loss late in the season, especially in a rivalry game, could be more damaging to playoff hopes than an early stumble.
That made the Week Zero slot a non-negotiable for USC athletic director Jennifer Cohen.
When Notre Dame’s new AD, Pete Bevacqua, declined that condition, the game was shelved.
And just like that, a rivalry that’s been played 78 straight seasons - uninterrupted since World War II and only briefly paused during the COVID-19 pandemic - is on hold. Their last meeting came this past October, with Notre Dame taking down USC 34-24.
The future? Unclear. If the two sides don’t reconnect until at least 2030, it’ll be the longest gap in the series since its inception in 1926.
In the meantime, both programs are already moving forward. USC is now in the market for a new nonconference opponent to fill the 2026 schedule - ideally one that would agree to a Week Zero matchup at the Coliseum. There’s talk of targeting a team that plays at Hawaii or internationally, which would allow USC to schedule an extra game under NCAA rules.
Notre Dame, for its part, moved quickly to line up a replacement. The Irish announced a multiyear deal with BYU, a solid independent program with its own national following.
Still, the decision hasn’t gone over well with everyone. USC legend Keyshawn Johnson voiced his frustration on social media, calling out how much the rivalry means to the sport and to the players who’ve lived it.
And he’s not alone. For fans on both sides, this isn’t just another game - it’s a cultural touchstone, a measuring stick, and a calendar-circling event every fall.
For now, though, it’s on ice. And while both schools say they’re committed to bringing the rivalry back, there’s no official timetable. Until then, college football will be missing one of its most storied matchups - and fans will be left hoping that the Trojans and Irish find common ground soon.