The storied competition between the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, once a centerpiece of college football, concluded in 2026 after a series of scheduling disputes that left both schools at odds.
A renewed rivalry on the horizon
Notre Dame had originally balked at moving the traditional season‑opening clash to a Week 0 slot, but the allure of a high‑profile matchup grew as USC prepared a demanding slate that included road trips to Penn State, Wisconsin and defending national champion Indiana.
USC coach Lincoln Riley publicly chastised Notre Dame for allegedly failing to honor earlier promises about the rivalry, while Fighting Irish supporters argued that the Trojans' recent move into the Big Ten Conference should not obligate Notre Dame to accommodate scheduling changes.
The 2026 schedule saw USC replace the Irish with San Jose State, a shift that underscored the volatility of the series, even as Notre Dame's new College Football Playoff arrangement guarantees a postseason spot if the team finishes among the top twelve in the final poll.
Looking ahead to 2030
Both programs are now in talks to restart the series, potentially as early as the 2030 season, with the hope of delivering a marquee game that could influence playoff rankings and rekindle a rivalry that has defined college football for decades.