USC vs. Notre Dame: Upcoming Game Info and Rivalry History

Who Are the USC Trojans?

Before we delve into why the Trojans and the Fighting Irish love to hate one another, we have to establish some background. 

USC is part of a few different divisions of the NCAA. As an elite team, the Trojans participate in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), which is only for the top teams in the league. They currently participate in the Pac 12 Conference, which is reserved for top NCAA athletic programs throughout the west coast, but are due to move to the Big Ten Conference beginning in the 2024 college football season.

The USC Trojans might be able to operate at such a high level due to their long past. The team first started way back in 1888. That predates the origin of the oldest NFL team (the Arizona Cardinals) by ten years. 

USC teams only became known as the Trojans starting in 1912. Prior to that, they were known by both the “Methodists” and the “Wesleyans.” 

The team plays at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1984. The stadium first opened in 1923 and has since hosted two separate Olympics (with a third expected in 2028).

The first few decades were somewhat quiet for the team, but they really started to rack up touchdowns in the 1920s. Their rise to fame was so impressive that they were allowed entry into the Pacific Coast Conference, which would later become Pac-12. 

It was also during this time that USC won their first national championship in 1928. Since then, they have become a frequent part of the College Football Playoffs and have won 11 national championships. 

Who Are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish?

Like the USC Trojans, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have achieved 11 consensus national championships throughout their tenure. This is far from the only way the two teams are similar, though. Notre Dame’s football program began in 1887, a year before USC hit the scene.

Their nickname, “The Fighting Irish,” first appeared in 1909 and stuck around as a symbol of resilience and strength. Unlike USC, Notre Dame is considered an independent team not registered to a conference. In fact, in the early 1900s, they were banned from joining the Western Intercollegiate Conference (now known as the Big Ten) altogether.

During this time, Notre Dame was rising to prominence due to their new head coach, Knute Rockne. He helped catapult the Fighting Irish from an unremarkable team into a force to be reckoned with, and his legacy lives on in the team today.

Notre Dame plays at the aptly named Notre Dame Stadium located near South Bend, Indiana. They’ve called the stadium their home since its opening in 1930.

How Did the Rivalry Between USC and Notre Dame Start?

Ever since 1926, the rivalry between USC and Notre Dame has been an integral part of NCAA football. There are multiple stories that claim to be the origin of this rivalry, but it’s unclear to this day which one is the truth. 

Some suppose that it started because of a conversation between the wives of each team’s head coach. Other versions simply state that each team saw immense potential for a rivalry to spice up the league.

No matter which story you choose to believe, it’s true that Notre Dame was having trouble finding teams to play at the start of their rivalry. As a result, this matchup was even more important. During their first game in 1926, the Fighting Irish scraped out a narrow lead against the Trojans. 

USC vs. Notre Dame Over the Years

Throughout their 93 face-offs over the years, Notre Dame has won 47 times, USC has won 36 times, and there have been five ties. Most recently, though, USC beat Notre Dame in 2022 38-27, in an impressive display of both passing and rushing yards through coach Lincoln Riley. 

Games between the two teams are always played shortly after Thanksgiving. This coming year will offer a chance for USC’s new star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams to keep their streak alive. On the other hand, Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman could take back the win.

While there is nothing quite like seeing a game in person, they can also be found on either ABC or CBS.

Other Notable Rivalries

As two of the biggest teams in the league, Notre Dame and USC have room in their hearts for much more than just one major rivalry. These other matchups have produced some of the most exciting games in the sport.

USC vs. Stanford

The rivalry between USC and the Stanford Cardinals kicked off in 1905 but started in earnest in 1919. Since then, these two Pac-12 teams have played just about every year. USC has won most of the matches between the two schools, but this rivalry, in particular, is characterized by an often palpable dislike for each other.

USC vs. UCLA

Not only are these two teams both part of the Pac-12 and the Big Ten, but they’re also neighbors. Since USC and UCLA are located in Los Angeles, it stands to reason that the Trojans and the Bruins would have it out for each other. 

USC is known more as a funnel into the NFL, where UCLA’s athletics are focused on NBA stardom. However, football games between the two are always a joy to watch.

Notre Dame vs. Miami

1955 marked the first time these two teams faced off, but the rivalry hit its peak in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Notre Dame regularly won throughout the 70s, but this was turned on its head when the Miami Hurricanes started reigning supreme in the 80s. Miami even once ended Notre Dame’s 27-game winning streak after the infamous “Catholics vs. Convicts” game in 1988.

See It for Yourself

Any college football game is a treat, but seeing a game between two heated rivals is watching history in the making. You’re in the right place to get tickets for the regular season or playoffs, where you can see the end zone up close and personal. TickPick has access to all the least expensive tickets, so you can experience every rushing yard, interception, and field goal for yourself.

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