Fansided

College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

By Maitland Rutledge

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

5. Notre Dame vs. USC

During this time when traditional rivalry matchups are being torn apart by the ever-changing conference shuffling, Notre Dame and USC continue their hostility towards one another. This is a classic matchup of iconic programs.

The roots of this matchup go way back. In 1925, after Notre Dame lost 17–0 at Nebraska, head coach Knute Rockne and his wife were joined on the train they were taking back to Chicago by then USC athletic director Gwynn Wilson and his wife, Marion. While Wilson tried to convince Rockne to end the rivalry with Nebraska to play the Trojans, Marion Wilson and Bonnie Rockne bonded during the ride and she later convinced her husband to play the Trojans.

The rivalry has lasted 85 years and has filled the college football history books with dozens of epic battles. In fact, more Heisman Trophy winners have played in the Notre Dame-USC game than in any other rivalry and on many occasions, a national championship berth has depended on this the game. Though the teams alternate between playing in late November in L.A. one year and mid-October in South Bend the next, this rivalry always seems to provide must-see college football from the “Bush Push” to USC’s 1974 comeback from 24 points.

No. 13 Notre Dame took care of business in South Bend last year 49-14, but USC will be looking for revenge. After winning the Pac-12 last season, Clay Helton appears to have the Trojans back on the rise and a win over Notre Dame would certainly validate their season.