Game on? USC, Notre Dame renew football rivalry discussions

One of the most storied intersectional rivalries in college football could be back on.

USC and Notre Dame have resumed discussions to re-start their football series after negotiations broke down late last year, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

USC and Notre Dame, one of college football’s most storied rivalries, is renewing discussions to continue the rivalry.AP

USC and Notre Dame, one of college football’s most storied rivalries, is renewing discussions to continue the rivalry.Getty Images

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USC and Notre Dame, one of college football’s most storied rivalries, is renewing discussions to continue the rivalry.Getty Images

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Scheduling agreements could preclude the resumption of the series for a few years even if both sides agree to terms.

One of the primary issues that forced the stoppage of the series – the Fighting Irish’s unwillingness to play the game earlier in the season – may no longer be a problem after Notre Dame officials have shown a willingness to back off that stance, according to the report in The Times.

Discussions had broken down after both sides reached a stalemate.

USC wanted the game played early in the season during the nonconference portion of its schedule, which was a nonstarter for Notre Dame.

Another issue that reportedly did not sit well with Trojans officials was the agreement that Notre Dame had struck with the College Football Playoff assuring the Irish a playoff berth if they finished in the top 12 of the final rankings.

After Notre Dame refused to accept USC’s final offer to continue the series in December, the Fighting Irish announced a new nonconference series with Brigham Young as a replacement for the Trojans.

In one of the greatest college football games of the century, No. 1 USC — led by Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush — took down No. 9 Notre Dame 34-31 in a game that’s known as the “Bush Push” game. AP

As part of a series that started in 1926, USC had traditionally played Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., during the second or third Saturday of October. When the Fighting Irish traveled to Los Angeles to face the Trojans, the game was usually played the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

USC and Notre Dame will not play this season for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The last time they had not played one another before that was during World War II.