What is better than Trojans vs. Irish? A whole lot

In the history of college football, certain rivalries that influence the outcome of the national title spring to mind. Our neighbors to the far north, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and a school in the West, the University of Southern California Trojans used to be one of these rivalries. These days, the two teams have fallen on hard times and their game has had little influence on the national champ.\nLast Saturday, these two teams got together on the hallowed ground that is Notre Dame's home turf and battled it out like people still cared, with the final score going in favor of the Irish 27-16. The game was interesting from start to finish, with USC starting off with a big lead, then Notre Dame tying it up heading into the fourth quarter. \nIt was 17-16 for most of the fourth quarter until Notre Dame kicked a field goal with 2:48 left and then scored another touchdown after USC's quarterback fumbled the ball as he tried to scramble. \nUnfortunately, the game only served as a reminder of a rivalry that has fallen from the radar in terms of important rivalries in the country. These are two schools with numerous national titles, yet each has fallen on hard times and is not sure of when it might come out of its tailspin. \nUSC hasn't made much news since defeating Northwestern in the Rose Bowl in 1996. Notre Dame, just when it looked like it might be returning to dominance, was embarrassed in the Fiesta Bowl by Oregon State last year and is only 3-3 so far this season after starting out 0-3. As to whether it will make a bowl game, it's anyone's guess, as they still have No. 9 Tennessee, No. 22 Stanford and No. 20 Purdue on the schedule. \nIt seems hard to believe these two schools have fallen from grace. It would be akin to Michigan and Ohio State or Florida and Florida State becoming bad all of a sudden, something unprecedented in terms of college football. Sure, a team might have a down season, but several in a row just don't seem right. \nAnd USC just hired a new coach, and at Notre Dame there is talk their coach might not last the season unless the team gets much better. Whether you like these teams or not, any fan of college football would have to agree that the return to importance of the USC-Notre Dame rivalry would only help college football.