The Jeweled Shillelagh — or the annual battle for it, at least — has lost its sheen in 2021.
On one side of the rivalry you have USC, which has started the season 3-3 and finally fired Clay Helton after a Week 2 loss to Stanford proved the program had progressed as far as possible under the eighth-year coach. The Trojans have done their best to keep their season together following his dismissal, beating Washington State and Colorado, but have also lost to Utah and a head-scratcher to Oregon State.
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No. 13 Notre Dame (5-1) has done its part to boost the status of this rivalry, coming off a College Football Playoff berth in 2020 and losing only to Cincinnati this season (the Bearcats are now ranked second in the AP Top 25). But the Fighting Irish don't look as strong as they have in previous seasons, scratching out three wins of one possession against unranked opponents.
Notre Dame has three straight wins in this series, but those victories haven't exactly come easy. Their last two have come by an average of five points. That said, Notre Dame should feel comfortable in the home matchup; the Irish haven't lost at home to the Trojans since 2011, in former coach Lane Kiffin's second year.
Sporting News breaks down how to watch the rivalry matchup between USC and Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind.:
MORE: Watch USC vs. Notre Dame live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is USC vs. Notre Dame on today?
The meeting between USC and Notre Dame will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Mike Tirico and Drew Brees will call the game from the booth.
USC vs. Notre Dame start time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 23
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
USC vs. Notre Dame will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind.
MORE: Why did USC fire Clay Helton? Loss to Stanford was final straw in disappointing tenure
USC schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| vs. San Jose State | Sept. 4 | USC 30, San Jose State 7 |
| vs. Stanford | Sept. 11 | Stanford 42, USC 28 |
| at Washington State | Sept. 18 | USC 45, Washington State 14 |
| vs. Oregon State | Sept. 25 | Oregon State 45, USC 27 |
| at Colorado | Oct. 2 | USC 37, Colorado 14 |
| vs. Utah | Oct. 9 | Utah 42, USC 26 |
| Bye | Oct. 16 | N/A |
| at No. 13 Notre Dame | Oct. 23 | TBD |
| vs. Arizona | Oct. 30 | TBD |
| at Arizona State | Nov. 6 | TBD |
| at Cal | Nov. 13 | TBD |
| vs. UCLA | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| vs. BYU | Nov. 27 | TBD |
Notre Dame schedule 2021
| Opponent | Date | Outcome |
| at Florida State | Sept. 5 | Notre Dame 41, Florida State 38 (OT) |
| vs. Toledo | Sept. 11 | Notre Dame 32, Toledo 29 |
| vs. Purdue | Sept. 18 | Notre Dame 27, Purdue 13 |
| vs. No. 18 Wisconsin (Soldier Field) | Sept. 25 | Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13 |
| vs. No. 7 Cincinnati | Oct. 2 | Cincinnati 24, Notre Dame 13 |
| at Virginia Tech | Oct. 9 | Notre Dame 32, Virginia Tech 29 |
| Bye | Oct. 16 | N/A |
| vs. USC | Oct. 23 | TBD |
| vs. North Carolina | Oct. 30 | TBD |
| vs. Navy | Nov. 6 | TBD |
| at Virginia | Nov. 13 | TBD |
| vs. Georgia Tech | Nov. 20 | TBD |
| at Stanford | Nov. 27 | TBD |
