USC’s unusual pitch to Notre Dame aims to save historic rivalry from extinction

One of college football’s oldest and most iconic rivalries could be headed for an unceremonious pause — or even a slow fade into extinction.

The Notre Dame–USC football series, which dates back to 1926 and has been played 95 times since, is no longer on solid ground beyond the 2026 season. While Notre Dame remains committed to keeping the rivalry alive, USC’s hesitation to agree to a long-term deal has cast serious doubt on the series’ future.

Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua made the Irish’s stance clear.

“I think Southern Cal and Notre Dame should play every year for as long as college football is played,” Bevacqua said, per SI’s Pat Forde. “And SC knows that’s how we feel.”

The 2025 game in Los Angeles and possibly the 2026 game in South Bend — a one-year extension reportedly offered by USC — are all that’s currently on the table. After that, the rivalry that has seen legends like Lou Holtz, Reggie Bush, and Joe Montana take center stage could disappear for good.

The Trojans reluctance on signing a long-term deal revolves around the looming uncertainty on the future College Football Playoff and the added travel stress of the Big Ten schedule.

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“We want the USC–Notre Dame rivalry to continue, which is why we offered an extension of our agreement,” Worsham told SI. “It’s a special game to our fans and our institution. We will continue to work with Notre Dame on scheduling future games.”

One attempt to keep the game intact is an idea floated from the Trojans, which is moving the rivalry game to the start of the season rather than its traditional late-October or November slot.

How this move will settle with both Irish and Trojan fans is unsure. But for now, the clock is ticking on one of the sport’s most treasured annual matchups. And unless something changes, college football could soon lose one of its most historical rivalries.

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