The USC-Notre Dame rivalry is considered the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football, with 36 wins for USC, 46 for Notre Dame and two ties. Between them, the two schools have won 22 national championships and 13 Heisman Trophies. The rivalry began in 1926 and has been played every year, except between 1943 to 1945 because of World War II. It's one of the longest-running rivalries in college sports with the 91st meeting taking place on Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

Two talent factories form a closely matched rivalry

Notre Dame USC Heisman Trophy winners 7 Notre Dame has way more All-Americans (102) than USC (81) 12 All-Americans Hall of Famers 100 Notre Dame edged out USC in all catagories except NFL draft picks (510 vs 505). 500 NFL draft picks Ohio State Michigan Alabama Auburn Oklahoma Texas California Stanford Miami Florida State Georgia Florida Notre Dame USC Heisman Trophy winners 7 Notre Dame has way more All-Americans (102) than USC (81) 100 12 Hall of Famers All Americans Notre Dame barely edges out USC in all catagories except NFL draft picks (510 vs 505). 500 NFL draft picks Ohio State Michigan Alabama Auburn Oklahoma Texas Georgia Florida Miami Florida State California Stanford

Though many schools have had stretches of success, such as Miami in the 1990s and Ohio State and Oklahoma currently, these have been one-sided. Additionally, rivalries that are similarly competitive like California-Stanford and Florida-Georgia don't have as storied programs. USC and Notre Dame have been strong and mostly partial for a good part of their 93-year rivalry.

USC-ND games by point difference

Notre Dame USC No games due to World War II +25 The Early Days 1926-1960 +32 Back-to-back ties +31 The Golden Era 1960-1982 Biggest shutout for Notre Dame: 51 pts Notre Dame dominance 1983-1995 +33 +10 Parity 1996-2001 +17 Biggest shutout for USC: 38 pts USC dominance 2002-2009 Vacated win +35 Parity again 2010-Present +35 Notre Dame USC The Early Days 1926-1960 No games due to World War II +32 +25 The Golden Era 1960-1982 Biggest shutout for Notre Dame: 51 pts Back-to-back ties +31 Notre Dame dominance 1983-1995 +33 Parity 1996-2001 +10 +17 USC dominance 2002-2009 Vacated win Biggest shutout for USC: 38 pts Parity again 2010-Present +35 +35

There have been many great games played between these two historic programs the past 90 meetings. However, here are a few that fans, alums, students, and college football pundits still talk about to this day.

THE EARLY DAYS One of the largest crowds in college football history Final Score USC 12- 13 ND While Notre Dame Stadium was being constructed, the Irish played all home games at Soldier Field in Chicago. The fourth game in the series drew 112,912 spectators, which is one of the largest crowds in college football history, to watch an undefeated Irish team take on the visiting 6-1 USC team. The Irish would win their second national title at the end of the season.

Golden Era The Comeback Final Score USC 55 -24 ND The Trojans erased a 24-point deficit to beat the defending national champion Irish 55-24. USC scored 55 points in under 17 minutes. ND coach Ara Parseghian announced his resignation weeks after, but the Irish gave him a farewell gift by beating Alabama in the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame Dominance No. 1 vs. No. 2 Final Score USC 10- 27 ND For the only time in series history, the matchup featured the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country. The Irish came in as underdogs and came on top 27-10 in front of a sellout crowd of 93,829 at the Coliseum. The Irish would go onto the Fiesta Bowl to beat West Virginia and win the national championship, their last NCAA title.

PARITY Holtz's last hurrah spoiled Final Score USC 27 -20 ND Lou Holtz came into his last game as head coach of Notre Dame having never lost to USC. In fact, the Irish had not lost to the Trojans for 13 years and before that had an 11-game winning streak over the Trojans that ended in 1994 with a tie. The Trojans tied the score with 1:50 remaining to force overtime and beat the Irish. It’s the only overtime game in the series.

USC Dominance The Bush Push Final Score USC 34 -31 ND The Irish don green jerseys in hopes of knocking off No. 1 ranked USC and end their 27-game winning streak. USC running back Reggie Bush pushed quarterback Matt Leinhart in the end zone to give the Trojans the lead with three seconds left in the game. Although play was against the rules at that time, referees rarely, if ever, made that call. USC later vacated the victory because of NCAA sanctions.

Parity again Under the lights Final Score USC 31 -17 ND First night game in South Bend in 21 years. Turning point in the game came in the third quarter when the Irish, down 17-10, drove to the USC one-yard line but a fumbled snap was returned the other way for a USC touchdown. This was the Trojans fifth straight win in South Bend. They haven’t won there since.

Parity again Unforeseen reversal of preseason expectations Final Score USC 13- 22 ND Going into the game both teams found themselves in reversal of preseason expectations. The Irish came in ranked No. 1 while the Trojans were unranked. USC was preseason ranked No. 1 while ND was not ranked. The Irish would punch their ticket to the BCS Championship Game after the win.

What the fans have to say

"There’s nothing like going home to California after a win, wearing ND gear." Makayla Vasquez · 21 · ND graduate · Alexandria, Va

"I’m a USC alum and my ex-boyfriend who recently dumped me went to Notre Dame. Our relationship started when we playfully talked trash to each other on a dating app before the game four years ago. I’d really love to see USC kick Notre Dame’s butt this year." Kristen Hernandez · 27 · USC '14 · Washington D.C.

"Traditions for old and young; past, present and future generations!!!!!! Go Irish!!!" Chris Zeches · 34 · ND '07 · Phoenix, AZ

"USC has two rivalries, ucla and ND. One is a rivalry by default because we're in the same city but they're like the annoying little brother you can pretty easily rough up. ND is a truer rivalry because they're better and the team we have respect for." Roy Nwaisser a.k.a. USC Psycho · Los Angeles, CA

"I’ll always remember these games over the past 4 years as times of tremendous joy with my friends when we thrashed the team two years back to back." Holden Perrelli · ND senior

"It is the earliest rivalry I ever remember watching as a child in West Virginia, even before I had a favorite college team of my own, and rooting on the Trojans, which is how USC became my favorite 'helmet team.'" Vince Skolny · USC fan · Los Angeles, CA

"Can it be called a rivalry when one school wins all the time?" Gary Adamson · 67 · ND '75 · La Jolla, Calif

"I am not a fan of either USC or ND (am a CU Buffs fan!).In a time of realignment,this game is as steady as most conf games." Matt Toepfer · Longmont, Colo