Key Highlights
- Notre Dame Football announces two-game series with BYU for 2026 and ’27.
- The announcement likely signals the end of the annual Notre Dame-USC matchup.
- USC has pushed to move the game to early in the season due to cross-country travel concerns.
- Notre Dame is lining up other marquee nonconference opponents for future seasons.
The End of a Rivalry: Notre Dame and USC
Notre Dame Football has filled its future schedule, potentially signaling the end of one of the most historic rivalries in college football. On Monday, the Fighting Irish announced a two-game series with BYU for 2026 and ’27, which may very well mark the final chapters in Notre Dame’s long-standing matchup with USC.
Historical Significance
The Notre Dame-SCUS matchup has been one of the most cherished and impactful games in college football history. The two schools have played each other since 1946, a period that includes seven out of the last eight victories for the Fighting Irish. Despite the pandemic season of 2020 being an anomaly, both teams have consistently drawn large crowds and significant national attention.
USC’s Push to Change the Schedule
The push from USC to move this matchup to earlier in the season is a reflection of their concerns about cross-country travel as members of the Big Ten. The Trojans have been vocal about wanting to play Notre Dame either as Week Zero or during the first three weeks before entering conference play. However, Notre Dame has remained open to discussions on different dates and times.
Future Opponents and Implications
In addition to BYU, Notre Dame has lined up other prestigious opponents for upcoming seasons. The 2027 slate includes games against Auburn, Purdue, and Michigan State, as well as the beginning of a long-term home-and-home agreement with Clemson. Furthermore, there are plans to play Texas in both 2028 and ’29.
Given this lineup, it seems possible that any future Notre Dame-USC matchups could be postponed until 2030 at the earliest. The all-time series between these two rivals stands at 53-38-5 in favor of Notre Dame, with the Irish having won the last three and seven out of eight recent games.
Conclusion
The future of this historic rivalry remains uncertain for now. While the decision to play BYU indicates a shift in Notre Dame’s nonconference scheduling, it also opens up potential options that could keep the USC game on the horizon. Fans will be watching closely as both teams navigate these changes and determine what the future holds.
For Pat Forde, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated who covers college football, this development is a significant moment in college sports history. “This appears to be a strong signal that USC–Notre Dame is on the rocks and off the schedule for the time being,” he notes, highlighting the complex dynamics at play.
As Notre Dame Football continues to fill out its schedule, it’s clear that this season will not only bring new challenges but also new opportunities for both teams. The future of one of college football’s most storied rivalries is far from settled, and fans can expect more developments in the coming years as these two historic programs adapt to a rapidly changing landscape.
