The Rivalry Returns
Notre Dame and USC, two of college football's most decorated programs, will renew their historic rivalry with a four-game series starting in 2030. The announcement ends years of speculation about whether the intersectional matchup would survive the era of conference realignment.
The series will be played on a home-and-home basis, with Notre Dame hosting in 2030 and 2033, and USC hosting in 2031 and 2032. Exact dates and broadcast agreements have not been finalized, but both schools indicated the games will likely fall in September or October.
Historical Context
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry dates back to 1926 and is one of the most-played intersectional series in college football history. The matchup was an annual tradition through 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent conference realignment disrupted the schedule.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 48-28-5, though USC has dominated recent meetings. The rivalry has produced countless memorable moments, from Notre Dame's "Game of the Century" in 1988 to USC's comeback victories in the 2000s.
Recruiting Implications
Both programs view the renewed series as a recruiting advantage. The rivalry's national profile provides exposure that translates to commitments. "When you can tell a recruit they'll play at Notre Dame Stadium or the Coliseum in front of a national audience, that matters," said one SEC coach who requested anonymity.
CFB 27 Dynasty Mode Implications
In Dynasty Mode, the series will be automatically scheduled beginning in the 2030 season. Both programs receive a rivalry bonus for wins, affecting prestige and recruiting. The games also count toward Notre Dame's independent scheduling requirements.
