### Historic Pause in the Notre Dame-USC Rivalry: A Shift in College Football Dynamics The longstanding football rivalry between Notre Dame and USC, which has been a staple of college football since 1926, is set to be paused starting in 2026. This decision comes after the two schools failed to reach an agreement to continue their annual matchups, a series that has seen 96 games played over nearly a century. The rivalry's interruption is attributed to various factors, including Notre Dame's recent scheduling agreement with BYU and the complexities introduced by USC's transition to the Big Ten Conference. Both institutions have expressed a desire to resume the rivalry in the future, acknowledging its historical significance in college football [https://apnews.com/article/notre-dame-usc-rivalry-07c465f59d09743d0c275f76e19e4f3c][https://www.953mnc.com/2025/12/23/annual-notre-dame-usc-football-game-coming-to-an-end]. ### Breakdown of the Situation: Key Factors Leading to the Rivalry's Pause 1. **Scheduling Conflicts**: Notre Dame filled its last open date for the 2026 season with a game against BYU, effectively removing the USC matchup from the schedule [https://abc7.com/post/notre-dame-byu-schedule-home-football-series-starting-2026/18306921]. 2. **Negotiation Challenges**: Ongoing negotiations between the two schools have stalled, particularly after USC's move to the Big Ten, which has complicated scheduling and contractual agreements [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usc-notre-dame-not-play-173354803.html]. 3. **Historical Context**: The rivalry has been paused before, notably during World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic, but this marks a significant break as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of their annual game [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/notre-dame-and-usc-pause-rivalry-that-dates-to-1926]. 4. **Future Aspirations**: Both Notre Dame and USC officials have indicated a commitment to reviving the rivalry, recognizing its importance to fans and the sport [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/usc-notre-dame-rivalry-ending-032259759.html]. ### Supporting Evidence: Historical Significance and Recent Developments - **Rivalry History**: The Notre Dame-USC rivalry began in 1926 and has been a key fixture in college football, with only two interruptions prior to this pause [https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/california/college-football-world-spins-as-usc-and-notre-dame-suspend-rivalry]. - **Recent Announcements**: Notre Dame's announcement of a home-and-home series with BYU for the next two seasons was made on the same day the rivalry was put on hold, highlighting the immediate impact of scheduling decisions [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/notre-dame-96-game-rivalry-021700318.html]. - **Media Coverage**: The decision has garnered significant media attention, with various outlets reporting on the implications for college football and the potential for future matchups [https://www.wsls.com/sports/2025/12/22/notre-dame-and-usc-pause-their-longstanding-rivalry-fighting-irish-add-byu-to-2026-schedule]. ### Conclusion: The Future of the Notre Dame-USC Rivalry Remains Uncertain In summary, the pause of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry is a significant development in college football, driven by scheduling conflicts and negotiation challenges. 1. **Immediate Impact**: The rivalry will not take place in 2026, marking a notable break in a tradition that has lasted nearly a century. 2. **Future Possibilities**: Both schools are hopeful for a revival of the rivalry, emphasizing its historical importance and the desire to maintain competitive traditions in college football. 3. **Contextual Changes**: The shift in conference alignments and scheduling complexities will continue to shape the landscape of college football rivalries moving forward. The outcome of this situation will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike, as the implications extend beyond just these two teams to the broader college football community [https://www.nj.com/sports/2025/12/notre-dame-reportedly-will-not-face-rival-they-have-faced-96-times-for-a-unique-reason.html].