Notre Dame prepares for historic rivalry matchup against USC

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- One of college football’s most storied rivalries returns to South Bend this weekend as No. 13 Notre Dame hosts No. 20 USC. Known as “The Holy War,” this matchup dates all the way back to 1926, only missing a few seasons during World War II and 2020 due to COVID. Nearly a century later, the rivalry’s intensity hasn’t faded one bit.

Notre Dame currently leads the all-time series 52-37-5 and has won the last two meetings. Players and coaches say they know just how much this game means.

Linebacker Drayk Bowen said, “People before that have played really well in this game are legends — it’s one of the biggest games of our season.”
Statistically, both teams are similarly matched. Notre Dame has been efficient in the red zone, scoring on 83% of its trips (24 of 29), while USC boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses — leading the FBS in yards per play (8.0+) and ranking second nationally in total offense.

Defensive coordinator Chris Ash called it “an honor to be part of one of the best rivalries in all of sports,” adding that the Irish defense must play with precision to slow down USC’s pace.
Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth said the team is “fired up and ready for the challenge,” while wide receiver KK Smith emphasized the “history and tradition” surrounding the game.

With both programs evenly matched statistically, Saturday’s showdown could come down to red-zone execution and ball security — two areas Notre Dame has excelled in all season.

Catch the full Notre Dame vs. USC breakdown on ABC57 Kickoff this Saturday, where I'll compare both offenses and defenses ahead of the primetime clash.