The iconic Notre Dame-USC rivalry is on the brink of a seismic shift, and this weekend’s game could be the last we see of it in its current form. But here’s where it gets controversial: as these two college football powerhouses prepare to face off, the future of their storied matchup hangs in the balance, caught between tradition and the evolving demands of modern sports. Will this be the end of an era, or can they find common ground?
It all started for Drayk Bowen, a linebacker from Indiana, the night after his high school career ended in a state championship loss. He witnessed Notre Dame’s rivalry with USC from afar, watching as Caleb Williams struck a Heisman pose, leaving the Irish defense in disarray. That 2022 game, a 38-27 USC victory, felt like a turning point—a return to form for two prestigious programs. But instead of marking the beginning of a new era, it may have signaled the start of the rivalry’s potential demise.
Fast forward a year, and Bowen played a pivotal role in Notre Dame’s 48-20 blowout of USC, effectively ending Williams’ Heisman repeat hopes and sending the Trojans into a tailspin. Since then, USC has struggled, going 14-11 and facing humbling losses in Big Ten play, while Notre Dame has thrived, reaching the national championship game and extending coach Marcus Freeman’s contract. Despite their shared history—a series that’s only paused for World War II and a global pandemic—the current versions of these teams seem to be drifting apart. Their futures are even more uncertain.
And this is the part most people miss: the rivalry’s fate isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about logistics, scheduling, and the changing landscape of college football. Notre Dame’s athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, has been vocal about keeping the series alive, insisting, ‘We want to play USC every year.’ But USC, now in the Big Ten, is grappling with travel demands and the waning momentum of Lincoln Riley’s tenure. The Trojans have even floated the idea of moving games to neutral sites, like Mexico City, or shifting them earlier in the season—a move that would require Notre Dame to rework its already packed schedule.
USC’s athletic director, Jen Cohen, has expressed a desire to extend the series, but negotiations have been complicated. Sources indicate USC’s proposed extension was only for two seasons, and the potential expansion of the College Football Playoff has added another layer of uncertainty. Riley argues that multiple automatic qualifiers in an expanded CFP would make extending the series more feasible, as it would remove the penalty of losing the game. But for Notre Dame, the rivalry is about more than just playoff implications—it’s about tradition, from the Bush Push to Joe Montana’s heroics, and the countless Heisman winners and national championships that have defined this matchup.
Here’s the bold question: Would the rivalry feel the same if it moved around the calendar or to neutral sites? Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn puts it perfectly: ‘College football is in a different state now, but the rivalries and traditions are what makes it feel like it’s the same.’ Yet, with USC’s Big Ten commitments and Notre Dame’s insistence on keeping games on campus, finding a compromise won’t be easy.
Broadcast rights add another wrinkle, though NBC and CBS seem willing to work together. Jon Miller of NBC Sports notes, ‘We can accommodate Notre Dame if the Big Ten wants to move the game earlier.’ But time is ticking. This weekend’s game is the last scheduled meeting, and while both sides express optimism, nothing is guaranteed. Freeman admits, ‘I’m confident it will be extended, but I don’t have any proof it’s being extended right now.’
As we watch this weekend’s matchup, it’s hard not to wonder: Are we witnessing the final chapter of this historic rivalry as we know it? Or will these two giants of college football find a way to preserve their tradition? What do you think? Is the rivalry worth saving, even if it means compromising on scheduling or location? Let us know in the comments.
