Overview
- Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC with streaming on Peacock from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
- The current contract expires after this season with no agreement for 2026, including reported discussions about a neutral-site, Netflix-backed option.
- Both Marcus Freeman and Lincoln Riley say they want the rivalry to continue, with the calendar a key sticking point as USC seeks early-September dates to ease Big Ten travel.
- USC is without top running backs Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders after injuries at Michigan, with walk-on King Miller set to start.
- Analysts say Notre Dame likely cannot afford a third loss to stay in the CFP race, while a USC road win would strengthen the Trojans’ résumé.