There is little doubt that the renewal of the matchup would result in intense and passionate gridiron battles. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s former QB, won the coveted Heisman Trophy last season, and current betting odds show CJ Carr, Notre Dame’s current Sophomore QB, as this season's frontrunner Heisman candidate. A duel between Coach Cignetti and Coach Freeman would be riveting for sports fans as a whole. Hopefully, the near future will contain a Sycamore State showdown betw

As we enter August and the start of the 2026-27 academic year, Notre Dame could be on the cusp of a truly special nine-month run.

On Monday, August 3rd, Notre Dame and USC announced the renewal of the historic Jeweled Shillelagh trophy after the talks had fizzled out this past offseason. The Trojan Athletic Department had pushed heavily for a late-season matchup against the Irish, as a USC win would likely fare better in the playoff race. However, Notre Dame strongly pushed for an early-season matchup.

On July 28th, Notre Dame Athletics struck a jersey patch deal with finance company SoFi Technologies. The multiyear partnership, rumored to be in the neighborhood of $18 million-$20 million, will be the most valuable patch deal in college sports, according to ESPN.