The push-and-pull in college football between changes brought about by NIL deals and conference realignments could affect one of the game’s timeless rivalries, which dates back nearly 100 years.
According to college football insider Pat Forde, the rivalry is on “the brink of ending this fall.”
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USC appears to be waffling on striking a long-term deal to continue the rivalry because of concerns about the evolving future of the College Football Playoff format.
“We want the USC–Notre Dame rivalry to continue, which is why we offered an extension of our agreement,” said USC associate athletic director Cody Worsham. “It’s a special game to our fans and our institution. We will continue to work with Notre Dame on scheduling future games.”
The two teams have met 95 times, with Notre Dame holding the series lead at 50-37-5. While the Trojans held a strong advantage in the early 2000s, winning the contest nine times from 2002 to 2011, the Fighting Irish have been dominant in recent seasons, winning six of the last seven matchups.
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Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua wants the rivalry to continue for years to come.
Lincoln Riley & Marcus Freeman shaking hands© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
“I think Southern Cal and Notre Dame should play every year for as long as college football is played,” said Bevacqua. “And SC knows that’s how we feel.”
Notre Dame recently reached a 12-year home-and-home agreement with the Clemson Tigers, which will begin in 2027. The Irish already play five ACC football games per season and are an Athletic Coast Conference member in all sports except football.
The Irish and Trojans compete in this rivalry series for the Jeweled Shillelagh. A shillelagh is an Irish club, typically made of oak or blackthorn. The trophy was created in 1952 to commemorate the series’ first game in 1926.
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