Reviving Tradition: Notre Dame and USC Announce Resumption of Historic Football Series
Notre Dame and USC have announced the revival of their football series with four early season games scheduled from 2030 to ’34. The historic rivalry, dating back a century, will be on hold until the resumption of the series. The games will be played on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend for the first two years, with the ’32 and ’33 games scheduled in the early weeks of the season to accommodate USC's Big Ten Conference play.
The agreement between Notre Dame and USC maintains the traditional home-and-home format, with games not being played at neutral sites. The series will see Notre Dame hosting USC at Notre Dame Stadium and USC hosting Notre Dame at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. The resumption of the series is seen as a positive development for both schools and college football as a whole.
The 2030 game between Notre Dame and USC will replace a previously scheduled matchup between Notre Dame and Indiana. Negotiations to continue the historic series between Notre Dame and USC had broken down last year, leading to the scheduling of alternative matchups for both schools in the interim. Notre Dame has secured a two-year series with BYU, while USC has lined up nonconference games against various opponents.
The rivalry between Notre Dame and USC dates back to 1926, with Notre Dame holding a lead in the series. The Fighting Irish have won the last three matchups and seven of the last eight. Both current coaches, Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame and Lincoln Riley of USC, have had mixed success in the series. While both teams are expected to field strong squads in the upcoming season, a potential meeting between Notre Dame and USC would likely occur in a postseason game like the College Football Playoff or a non-CFP bowl game.
In conclusion, the resumption of the Notre Dame-USC football series brings back a historic rivalry that has captivated fans for decades. The agreement to add four early season games from 2030 to ’34 ensures that the tradition of this intersectional matchup will continue, providing excitement for both schools and college football enthusiasts alike.