One of the most enduring and culturally significant rivalries in American sports may be returning to its traditional cadence. Notre Dame and the University of Southern California are reportedly engaged in “active discussions” to ensure their annual football clash remains a permanent fixture on their future schedules, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times.
The news comes at a volatile moment for college athletics, as conference realignment continues to dismantle historic matchups and redraw the map of the sport. For decades, the intersection of the Fighting Irish and the Trojans has served as a bridge between the Midwest and the West Coast, transcending regional boundaries to create a national spectacle. The prospect of a formalized, long-term agreement suggests that both institutions view the rivalry as too valuable to leave to the whims of shifting conference mandates.
While the two programs have historically played nearly every year since 1926, the stability of that arrangement was thrown into question following USC’s move to the Big Ten Conference in 2023. The transition introduced new scheduling constraints and a more rigid conference slate, leading to concerns that the series could become sporadic or be paused entirely to accommodate the Big Ten’s expanded footprint.
Navigating the Big Ten Scheduling Puzzle
The primary obstacle to a guaranteed annual series is the structure of the Big Ten. With the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the conference has grown to a massive 18-member behemoth. To maintain a semblance of balance and fairness, the Big Ten has implemented a rigorous scheduling model that requires member schools to play a high volume of conference games.
For USC, this means fewer “open” dates for non-conference opponents. Notre Dame, which maintains its independent status in football to preserve its unique identity and scheduling flexibility, has traditionally been the constant. However, as the Big Ten moves toward a more locked-in calendar, the “handshake” agreements of the past are no longer sufficient. The “active discussions” reported by Ryan Griffin suggest that both athletic departments are seeking a formal mechanism—potentially a multi-year contract—that would force the game into the schedule regardless of conference pressures.
This effort is not merely about tradition; We see a strategic necessity. In an era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the Transfer Portal, the ability to recruit elite talent depends heavily on the prestige of the schedule. A guaranteed annual game against a brand like Notre Dame provides USC with a consistent national spotlight, while Notre Dame benefits from a recurring high-profile matchup in a major recruiting hotbed like Los Angeles.
The Economic and Cultural Stakes
Beyond the X’s and O’s, the Notre Dame-USC series is a powerhouse for television networks and ticket sales. The game consistently draws massive ratings and generates significant revenue for both universities. In the current landscape of the College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion, the strength of schedule has become even more critical for teams vying for a top seed.
The rivalry is also a rare example of a “cross-pollination” of fanbases. Because Notre Dame has a global following and USC represents the glamour of the West Coast, the game often feels like a professional bowl game played in the middle of the regular season. Losing this matchup would not only be a blow to the fans but a missed financial opportunity for the programs and their broadcast partners.
The following table outlines the shift in the rivalry’s context following the 2023 realignment:
| Factor | Pre-2023 Era | Post-2023 Era |
|---|---|---|
| USC Affiliation | Pac-12 Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Scheduling Ease | High (Flexible non-conf slots) | Moderate to Low (Rigid Big Ten slate) |
| Geographic Link | Midwest vs. West Coast | Midwest vs. Midwest-affiliated |
| Strategic Value | Traditional Rivalry | Recruiting & Brand Stability |
What Remains Uncertain
Despite the optimistic reports of active talks, several hurdles remain before a formal announcement can be made. First, any agreement must be vetted by the Big Ten conference office to ensure it does not conflict with conference bylaws or scheduling requirements for other member schools. Second, the specific timing of the game—whether it remains a late-season clash or shifts to accommodate travel—remains a point of negotiation.
There is also the question of venue rotation. While the games have traditionally alternated between South Bend and Los Angeles, the logistics of transporting a Big Ten-affiliated team across the country are more complex than they were during the Pac-12 era. While the travel is the same, the administrative oversight from the conference office adds another layer of bureaucracy.
Stakeholders in this negotiation include not only the athletic directors of both schools but also the conference commissioners and the television networks that hold the rights to the games. For the fans, the uncertainty has been a source of anxiety, but the report of “active discussions” provides a glimmer of hope that one of the sport’s few remaining “sacred” matchups will survive the realignment era.
The next concrete checkpoint for this story will be the release of the official 2025 and 2026 schedules, as well as any formal statements from the Big Ten conference regarding non-conference scheduling mandates. Until a signed contract is announced, the series remains in a state of precarious, albeit hopeful, negotiation.
Do you think the Notre Dame-USC rivalry should be permanently protected, or is it time for college football to move past these legacy matchups? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
