Protect the stick and protect the season
#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) VS USC Trojans (6-5)
Before the season began, any conversation about which teams were the toughest for the Irish to play always included the USC Trojans. Somewhere in everyone’s top three, Notre Dame’s biggest rival stood out like a sore thumb. This isn’t an odd year October clash inside Notre Dame Stadium — it’s the even year trip out to Los Angeles to close out the season. Those games are much different.
Despite anything else you might have heard, this battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is the winning prize in the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football — along with so much more.
RIVALRY WEEK
A comparison of college football’s top rivalries by their combined accolades.
No series has had more importance and influence on CFB history than Notre Dame-usc.
The others played for regional dominance; we played for national prominence. The best rivalry. pic.twitter.com/8DhHlgKZhQ
— The 4 Horsemen Podcast (@HorsemenPod) November 25, 2024
Southern Cal didn’t turn out to be the team that many thought they would be this season, but like a wounded animal in its own den — they’re dangerous. While Marcus Freeman has done a remarkable job since the disaster of NIU, this game will be his biggest test. One game against Notre Dame’s biggest rival for a home playoff game — or maybe the Music City Bowl.
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