Indiana University’s football program has called off its scheduled home‑and‑home series with Notre Dame for the 2030‑31 seasons, a move first disclosed by Pete Sampson of The Athletics.
Conference realignment reshapes traditional rivalries
The cancellation stems from Notre Dame’s decision to launch a four‑year rivalry with the University of Southern California beginning in 2030, a partnership that reshaped the Fighting Irish’s non‑conference calendar.
The original agreement, struck in 2021 when Tom Allen still coached the Hoosiers and Brian Kelly led the Irish, was set to open in South Bend, Indiana, but the new USC tie‑up created a direct scheduling conflict.
With the series now scrapped, Indiana’s athletic department confirmed that it will have no Power Four opponents on its future non‑conference slate under head coach Curt Cignetti, signaling a strategic pivot toward regional matchups.
The last meeting between the two schools occurred in the 2024 College Football Playoff, where Notre Dame edged Indiana 27‑17, a result that added a fresh layer of intrigue to the canceled series.
Historically, the rivalry has been one‑sided, with Indiana’s last victory over the Irish dating back to 1950; the all‑time record stands at 5‑24‑1 in favor of Notre Dame.
Analysts say the move reflects a broader trend of conferences reshaping out‑of‑conference slates as media rights deals and regional rivalries dominate the sport’s agenda.