Notre Dame and USC is among the greatest rivalries in all of college football. It is right up there with Michigan-Ohio State, Army-Navy, Alabama-Auburn, etc. But this year, it just doesn't feel the same. In years past it has been a rivalry where the winner could possibly be playing for a National Championship.
Notre Dame has lost 3 straight and are already locked in to a non-championship bowl. But it would be nice if USC still had the chance to make the playoff so Notre Dame could at least spoil it for them. Michigan will have that chance against Ohio State and Florida can do the same to Florida State. But Notre Dame and USC are both 7-4 and headed to a bowl game that has no relevance to the playoff committee.
Heck, even Illinois and Northwestern have more on the line. They are both 5-6 and the winner is bowl eligible and the loser is home for the holidays. It would be nice if there was something on the line here but there really isn't.
But it is still Notre Dame and USC. Notre Dame has won 3 of the last 4 and the last two at the Coliseum. The Trojans will definitely want to change that. They are also coming off a bad loss to crosstown rival UCLA. Losing to two big rivals in back to back weeks is a hard way to go into a bowl game. The Irish will not want to go into a bowl game on a 4 game losing streak. That is really all that is on the line.
But with all that, bragging rights for this rivalry are always nice. But it is a whole lot nicer when you can go on to contend for a championship or be able to say you cost your rival that opportunity.
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