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3h ago

Notre Dame, USC Renew Talks to Revive Football Rivalry

Notre Dame’s openness to an earlier date removes the biggest obstacle to a deal.

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Marcus Freeman, coach of Notre Dame, wearing a headset, Image 2 shows A man wearing a white visor with a USC logo and a black shirt with a USC logo on the chest, Image 3 shows Matt Leinart reaching for the ball during the "Bush Push" game
Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) scores a touchdown in front of USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
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Overview

  • Both schools, which multiple outlets reported Monday are in active discussions, have no agreement yet on the timing or terms of a restart.
  • Notre Dame is now open to scheduling the game early in the season, addressing USC’s concern about a late nonconference date during Big Ten play.
  • Existing commitments, including Notre Dame’s BYU series in 2026–27, mean the earliest realistic return is 2030.
  • Talks collapsed late in 2025 after USC objected to Notre Dame’s reported College Football Playoff top‑12 berth guarantee and pulled its offer.
  • Reporters note conversations never fully stopped, and the schools are motivated by the matchup’s fan interest, TV value, and long history dating to 1926.