USC vs. Notre Dame: Why It's the Best Rivalry in College Football

USC vs. Notre Dame is, convincingly, the greatest rivalry in college football.  These two historic powerhouses enjoy this rivalry every year despite where each might stand in the college football rankings.

Football fans cherish rivalry, especially rivalries with historic significance.

As two of the nation's more different and historically successful institutions, Notre Dame and USC are a match made in heaven.

2011's chapter of this storied rivalry looks to be a classic.  USC, currently reeling from NCAA sanctions, effecting their recruiting and bowl eligibility, may play spoiler to the Irish's outside hopes for a BCS berth.

The Irish floundered early in the season, mostly due to self-inflicted wounds, but has won four straight games and is gaining momentum heading into this weekend's battle with USC.  

Southern California on the other hand, has shown effects from the loss of Pete Carroll and exhibited some symptoms of sanctions.  However, their record currently sits at a comfortable 5-1.  Their dominance of years past, though, looks to have disappeared.

Read on to see why Notre Dame and USC's rivalry tops the other greats such as Ohio State vs. Michigan, the Red River Rivalry and Auburn vs. Alabama.

Storied Football Programs

Notre Dame and USC's football programs account for the most combined national championships (21) and Heisman Trophy winners (14) of any other rivalry.

Together these great football schools are responsible for producing the most talented players in the country.

USC leads all of college football with 472 of it's players being drafted in the NFL.  Notre Dame falls closely behind with 469 players drafted to the NFL level.

The overall series between the two is led by Notre Dame and currently sits at 43-33-5.  The Trojans, though, have wont eight out of the last ten meetings including eight in-a-row until the Irish ended the streak last season.

The rivalry's origin is debatable, but likely a result of the political landscape of the early college football field.  Allegedly, Notre Dame's growing popularity in the 1920s and difficulty scheduling games with regional opponents led to their expansion to the west coast.

Following a lucrative appearance in the Rose Bowl against the Stanford Cardinal, held on New Years Day, the USC administration desired to bring Notre Dame back to southern California.

Thus, a rivalry was born.

*Following the NCAA vacating USC's victories in 2005, this eight game streak no longer exists.

Recruiting Wars

Both Notre Dame and USC are juggernauts in the recruiting sphere.

The name of each school has an aura which surrounds it.  The aura represents a perception from outside observers of the historic success and greatness of the two programs.

This perception has created a strong feeling of pride for both current and past players.

Future recruits are exposed to this mindset long before their abilities are ever discussed.

Who wins the recruiting war when both schools have a great deal to offer?

Some pick USC for it's great location in Southern California.  Others admire the academic excellence of the Irish.

Recent examples include the Irish stealing top QB prospect Jimmy Clausen from USC and others in 2006.  Even more surprisingly, top linebacker prospect Manti Te'o chose the Irish over USC in 2009, even after two straight drubbings by USC by a combined 78-3 margin.

USC hasn't lost all the recent battles on the recruiting front, though. They lured away future NFL offensive tackle Tyron Smith and NFL safety Taylor Mays.

The "Bush Push"

October 15, 2005 may go down as not only one of the best games of this great rivalry, but also one of the best games in college football history.

USC was ranked No. 1 in the nation heading into the matchup in South Bend.  Notre Dame was riding high also, sitting at No. 9.

This game had everything: Hype, rivalry, lead changes, high scoring and controversy in the closing minutes.

The game also has a nickname, so you know it's significant.

"The Bush Push" was an electric game that ended with USC running back Reggie Bush pushing quarterback Matt Leinhart over the goal-line from behind.  This, at the time, was a violation of NCAA rules.

A non-call by the referees resulted in a USC touchdown and victory in the closing seconds.  USC went on to face the eventual NCAA champion Texas Longhorns in the BCS title game.

Unfortunately, due to NCAA sanctions, this USC victory was vacated in 2010.

Some, Irish fans mostly, might take solace in that fact.

No. 1 vs. No. 2

Every great college football rivalry must have a No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle.

Notre Dame and USC are no different.

In 1988, the undefeated Irish traveled to Southern California in the only No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle in rivalry history.

The Irish were victorious 27-10 and went on to claim the National Championship.

Distance

Most of the other prominent rivalries in college football share a common region and common fan-bases.

USC and Notre Dame, however, are separated by more than 2,000 miles and maintain completely different followings.

The fact that this rivalry has lasted this long and has been as fierce as it has is a true testament to the greatness of this annual epic clash.

Media Coverage

No other rivalry receives the media hype that surrounds this epic clash.

Year in and year out, despite lacking implications recently, this game garners one of the largest followings nationwide.

It might have something to do with USC and Notre Dame having two of the largest fan followings in all of North American sports.

Media attention, though, is not just a factor due to the large fan bases.

Each team usually fields some of the top players in the nation.  Historically, the Trojans boast 11 college football hall-of-famers, the most of any other school.  The Irish come in at a close second place, with 10 of their own.

Scouting agencies, sporting news outlets and fans alike watch this annual clash with the future in mind.  As mentioned, these two programs have produced the first and second most NFL draft picks in college football history.

All eyes are always on this great rivalry.