UCLA football may become USC's main rival during Notre Dame hiatus

USC and Notre Dame will not meet in regular season play until 2030, leading to speculation about new rivalries. With the Trojans sidelined from their annual encounter with the Fighting Irish, attention may turn to the crosstown Bruins as USC's primary competitor. Although UCLA has struggled in the Big Ten, its geographic proximity ensures ongoing matchups with USC. USC also faces pressure to perform against Oregon, which could be critical for establishing dominance in the conference. Analysts suggest that while UCLA is historically significant as a rival, current performance against Oregon is now deemed more vital for USC’s playoff ambitions.

• 2:49 PMYahoo Sports — Is UCLA now USC's biggest rival with the Notre Dame game ending?