USC icons Matt Leinart and Pete Carroll respond to the halt of the Notre Dame rivalry

Change in USC and Notre Dame Rivalry for 2026

The college football schedule for 2026 is shaping up a bit differently this time around. For the first time since their rivalry began back in 1926, USC and Notre Dame won’t face each other next year—or for the foreseeable future, really—except for a few interruptions during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though Notre Dame isn’t part of the conference, the two schools managed to meet on the field every year, leading to a cumulative 96 matchups.

Interestingly, USC had initially pushed for the game to occur earlier in the season, as it has usually taken place in October during Rivalry Week, either in Los Angeles or South Bend.

In light of criticism, former USC quarterback Matt Leinart defended his alma mater. He expressed, “You can call me lame, but I’m going to trust that a school that has produced more Heisman winners than anyone in history and has won 11 national championships will do what’s right for the program.” He even mentioned other historic rivalries that faced interruptions, like Texas and A&M. “It’s disappointing, but it’s not the end of the world,” he added, hoping for a temporary pause in their rivalry.

The reaction from Leinart’s old coach, Pete Carroll, was quite different. He voiced concern over the implications of this break, suggesting, “There’s no reason to wonder why someone would want to do that.” Carroll expressed a hope that this wouldn’t extend to other significant games that mean so much to fans and alumni alike.

Notre Dame recently announced a game against BYU on their 2026 schedule, filling their last opening. Officials from both Notre Dame and USC acknowledged the importance of their rivalry, indicating a mutual desire to rejuvenate it in possibly a new decade. “We recognize how special our rivalry is to our fans, our team, and college football,” they stated in a joint message.

The two schools first clashed in 1926, with Notre Dame currently leading the series at 53-38-5. In their most recent encounter, Notre Dame triumphed with a score of 34-24.

When USC transitioned to the Big Ten last season, it complicated negotiations for scheduling, as the Trojans prefer to play nonconference games earlier in the year. Historically, these teams have been powerhouses, accumulating 22 national championships and producing 15 Heisman Trophy winners, usually going head-to-head in October or November.