The USC-Notre Dame rivalry, one of college football’s most iconic matchups, is set to take a pause after next season. For nearly a century, this annual clash has been a staple on the calendar - a coast-to-coast showdown steeped in tradition, passion, and high stakes. But as of now, the 96th meeting this past season may be the last we see of it for a while.
According to reports, the two programs haven’t come to terms on extending the series beyond next year. While nothing’s set in stone for the future, there’s already talk that USC athletic director Jen Cohen and Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua are eyeing a potential revival of the rivalry in 2030. That’s a long wait for fans who’ve grown up with this game as a fall ritual, but it’s not necessarily a goodbye - more like a temporary break.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, is already filling out its schedule with other high-profile matchups. On Monday, the Irish announced a home-and-home series with BYU, the Big 12 runner-up this season. Dates haven’t been locked in yet, but the addition of BYU rounds out Notre Dame’s non-conference slate for the next two years.
Both USC and Notre Dame fell short of the College Football Playoff this year, and the postseason picture shifted accordingly. Notre Dame declined an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where they would’ve faced BYU - a matchup now replaced by Georgia Tech vs.
BYU on December 27. USC, on the other hand, will close out its season against TCU in the Alamo Bowl on December 30.
Looking further ahead, USC has already lined up non-conference opponents for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. In 2026, the Trojans will host Fresno State and Louisiana at the Coliseum.
The following year, they’ll welcome UNLV and Nevada to Los Angeles. Solid matchups, but let’s be honest - they don’t carry the same weight or history as a Saturday showdown with the Irish.
The rivalry itself has been defined by memorable moments, legendary players, and a unique blend of West Coast swagger and Midwest grit. Notre Dame currently holds the edge in the all-time series, leading 53-37-5 after their win in October. That kind of history doesn’t fade quietly.
Both head coaches - USC’s Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman - have voiced their desire to keep the rivalry alive. Riley, speaking just days before this season’s game, captured what makes it special.
“It’s a phenomenal rivalry,” he said. “It’s one of the best parts of being involved in college football - these different, unique games. If you love the game, you have a real appreciation for the history of it and what it means to get the opportunity to be a part of these.”
That sentiment rings true for fans on both sides. The USC-Notre Dame game isn’t just another date on the schedule - it’s a measuring stick, a tradition, and a celebration of college football’s rich tapestry.
If this rivalry truly does go on hiatus, it leaves a noticeable void in the sport. But with both programs expressing interest in bringing it back, there’s reason to believe we haven’t seen the last of it.