The historic USC-Notre Dame football rivalry, spanning nearly a century, is celebrated for its unforgettable games that have shaped college football history, yet its future is now uncertain due to modern scheduling challenges. This intersectional matchup has nationalized the sport with cross-country clashes since the 1920s, producing dramatic moments that resonate with fans and influence championships, but current conflicts threaten to end this storied tradition.
In the early years, the rivalry quickly gained prominence with contests like the 1931 game, where USC rallied from a 14-0 deficit to win 16-14 on a last-second field goal, securing an unbeaten national championship season. Similarly, the 1947 matchup featured a dominant Notre Dame team, led by Heisman winner Johnny Lujack, overcoming a tough USC squad 38-7 en route to a national title, showcasing the rivalry’s impact on the sport’s elite and setting the stage for decades of competition.
The 1960s brought renewed intensity under legendary coaches, with games like the 1964 upset where USC stunned top-ranked Notre Dame 20-17 with a late touchdown, halting the Irish’s perfect season in Ara Parseghian’s first year. Two years later, the teams played to a 21-21 tie in a contest where Notre Dame’s defense contained O.J. Simpson, highlighting the competitive balance and high stakes that have defined these encounters over generations.
A defining moment occurred in 1974 with USC’s incredible 55-24 comeback victory after trailing 24-0 at halftime, sparked by Anthony Davis’s kickoff return touchdown and multiple scores leading to a 55-0 run in under 17 minutes. This game epitomized the rivalry’s capacity for dramatic shifts and has been remembered as one of college football’s greatest comebacks, illustrating how these matchups often produce legendary performances under pressure.
The late 1970s and 1980s saw more historic clashes, such as Notre Dame’s 49-19 win in 1977, where the Irish debuted green jerseys and a Trojan horse prop to inspire a surprise national championship run. In 1988, No. 1 Notre Dame defeated No. 2 USC 27-10 in the series’ first top-two matchup, securing another national title for the Irish and emphasizing the rivalry’s role in determining college football’s best teams during eras of shifting dominance.
Perhaps the most famous recent game is the 2005 “Bush Push” contest, where No. 1 USC edged No. 9 Notre Dame 35-31, with Reggie Bush’s controversial shove of Matt Leinart into the end zone for the winning touchdown preserving USC’s 34-game winning streak. This iconic moment underscored the rivalry’s enduring drama and intensity, reflecting how it continues to captivate audiences with high-stakes plays and emotional narratives.
Today, the rivalry faces an uncertain future due to conference realignment and scheduling conflicts, with no plans to continue the series after this season despite expressions of desire from both coaches. Logistical challenges, including College Football Playoff expansion debates, threaten to end a tradition that has defined intersectional rivalries, potentially marking a significant loss for the sport’s heritage and fan engagement.
If discontinued, the absence of USC-Notre Dame games would underscore broader issues in college football, where commercial interests risk eroding historic traditions. Preserving such rivalries is crucial for maintaining the sport’s cultural richness, as they provide timeless stories and connect generations of players and fans through shared memories and competitive spirit.