Jeweled Shillelagh rivalry time confirmed, USC-ND lives on...for now

The recent news of the Clemson-Notre Dame agreement raised some questions about USC's potential future with the Fighting Irish. While there is not an agreement in place that stretches through 2038, for the upcoming season, the Jeweled Shillelagh will remain a cornerstone in college football.

USC announced on Monday that the game between the school and the team from South Bend would be scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, at 4:30 pm Pacific Time. Taking place this year at Notre Dame Stadium, this is a matchup that all football fans, whether an alum of either institution or not, have circled on their calendar.

Coach Marcus Freeman is coming off a national runner-up season. While coach Lincoln Riley will want to show that he has this program on the right track. Looking ahead, the fall Saturday date could end up being a critical point for both teams, one way or another. The difference between losing that game in late October could be the difference between making a potential playoff push or fighting to just stay above .500.

Last year, the Trojans kept the game at a respectable scoreline. Late turnovers and a worn-out defense ultimately proved to be too much for last year's team that was looking to cause the upset, however.   

Need to preserve Notre Dame vs. USC meetings

Without a formal agreement, like what the Indiana-based school has with Clemson, past 2026, when ND comes to the Coliseum, it's uncertain what the rivalry will look like beyond that point. Unfortunately, the politics of the sport can too often get in the way.

For something like this rivalry, a matchup that has seen both programs take the field against each other 95 times, there needs to be a stronger commitment to preserving one of CFB's great traditions.

Fortunately, for now, the Trojans will travel to South Bend in October, and the Fighting Irish will come to Los Angeles next year. Whatever is currently causing a hold-up from reaching a long-term agreement, whether it's one of the individual schools or the Big Ten conference itself, all parties need to find a way to ensure that USC-ND lasts as an annual fixture.