Notre Dame and Clemson Set the Stage for a New Era: College Football’s Next Great Rivalry Takes Shape in Real Time
The ever-shifting landscape of college football has long thrived on storied rivalries, from Michigan vs. Ohio State to Alabama vs. Auburn. These matchups have become sacred traditions, defining seasons and anchoring the sport in a unique cultural rhythm. Yet, in an era defined by realignment, NIL deals, and playoff expansion, a fresh rivalry is brewing—one that wasn’t born in geography or ancient grudges, but in opportunity, ambition, and national relevance. Enter Notre Dame and Clemson.
Though not traditional rivals, the Irish and Tigers have found themselves increasingly intertwined on the field, in recruiting battles, and in the broader national spotlight. With both programs positioned as perennial contenders, and their recent matchups crackling with drama and postseason implications, the time may be right for college football’s newest rivalry to emerge.
To understand how this budding rivalry has taken shape, it’s worth looking back. Prior to 2015, Notre Dame and Clemson had met just twice—once in 1977 and again in 1979. While Notre Dame won the first and Clemson the second, there was little reason to view those meetings as anything more than brief inter-conference contests. It wasn’t until the College Football Playoff era, and the evolution of both programs into national powerhouses, that sparks began to fly.
The 2015 regular season matchup at Clemson’s Death Valley proved to be a turning point. Amid torrential rain and under the watchful eye of a national audience, the Tigers held on for a 24-22 victory, stopping a late Irish two-point conversion attempt. The game was instantly memorable, blending intensity, physicality, and late-game drama—ingredients for a great rivalry. Clemson, led by Deshaun Watson, was in the midst of launching its dynasty run. Notre Dame, under Brian Kelly, was clawing its way back into elite company. The tension between the two was palpable.
Then came the 2020 season, uniquely altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. With Notre Dame temporarily joining the ACC for a conference-only slate, the stage was set for two high-stakes matchups. The first, in November, was a thriller. In front of a reduced-capacity Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish knocked off then-No. 1 Clemson in double overtime. The storming of the field by fans became one of the indelible images of the season. Though Clemson was missing Trevor Lawrence due to COVID protocols, DJ Uiagalelei threw for over 400 yards, proving the Tigers were no less formidable. But Notre Dame had won—asserting itself in a way it hadn’t in decades.
A month later, the Tigers exacted revenge in the ACC Championship, routing the Irish 34-10 and making a strong case for their playoff pedigree. The split decision left both fan bases fired up, and the national conversation quickly turned to the notion that something bigger was happening between these two programs.
These clashes weren’t just important—they were meaningful in ways that lingered beyond the final whistle. For Notre Dame, beating Clemson was validation. For Clemson, dominating Notre Dame in the rematch reaffirmed their place among the elite. In both cases, the stakes were playoff berths, conference titles, and national reputations.
Now, with both programs entering a new phase in 2025 and beyond, the rivalry has fertile ground to grow.
For Clemson, the Dabo Swinney era is in a stage of evolution. Once the darlings of college football with their underdog spirit and explosive offenses, the Tigers have recently faced scrutiny. Back-to-back seasons without playoff appearances have raised questions about whether the dynasty has peaked. Yet, Swinney’s commitment to the program’s culture, his resistance to the transfer portal, and his old-school methods have created a unique identity—one that contrasts sharply with other top programs. Playing Notre Dame, with its national brand, independent status, and traditionalist roots, represents both a challenge and a mirror.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, is entering the Marcus Freeman era with renewed purpose. The young, charismatic coach has brought energy and fresh recruiting momentum to South Bend. After a rocky start in 2022, Freeman’s Irish have settled into a groove, building a team capable of beating anyone on the schedule. Importantly, Notre Dame’s schedule routinely includes matchups with elite competition—Ohio State, USC, and now, potentially, an annual or semi-annual clash with Clemson.
What makes this potential rivalry different from traditional ones is that it’s less about hate and more about high-level competition. There’s mutual respect between the programs. Their academic standards, commitment to tradition, and often-contrasting styles—Clemson’s Southern bravado versus Notre Dame’s Midwest prestige—provide an intriguing cultural tension. But above all, it’s the football that makes this rivalry real.
Both teams play physical, disciplined, high-stakes football. Both recruit nationally. Both have fan bases that expect greatness. And when they play, the games deliver. The atmospheres are electric. The consequences are enormous. And the results, thus far, have been balanced and thrilling.
Administratively, there’s reason to believe the schools want this rivalry to grow. While Notre Dame remains fiercely independent, its scheduling alliances—particularly with the ACC—ensure that matchups like Clemson remain on the table. The ACC is happy to showcase such games, and with playoff expansion beginning in 2024, marquee non-conference clashes are even more valuable.
Under the 12-team playoff format, both Clemson and Notre Dame have much to gain from strengthening their schedules with games that resonate nationally. A late-season Clemson-Notre Dame showdown could carry seeding implications, add strength to résumés, and even serve as a playoff preview. In that sense, the rivalry becomes both meaningful and strategic.
And let’s not overlook recruiting. Clemson and Notre Dame frequently battle for the same prospects, particularly in the Southeast and Midwest. These games provide a national stage to showcase talent and coaching. A thrilling win can turn the tide in a recruit’s decision-making process. The 2023 and 2024 recruiting cycles have seen several players strongly consider both programs, and future showdowns will only heighten that tension.
Fan interest is also a major factor. Notre Dame fans love tradition, but they’re hungry for new rivalries that reflect the modern state of college football. USC and Navy will always matter, but matchups with Clemson bring an entirely different energy. For Clemson fans, the chance to regularly beat a brand like Notre Dame adds weight to their resume and fuels pride in their rise from regional power to national titan.
The 2022 matchup in South Bend was another example of how combustible this pairing can be. Notre Dame, a home underdog, overwhelmed Clemson 35-14, exposing flaws in the Tigers’ offense and raising alarm bells about their quarterback situation. The result reverberated nationally, and it served as another reminder that when these teams collide, it matters.
In short, all the elements for a great college football rivalry are in place: high stakes, competitive balance, elite talent, meaningful games, and national attention. What’s left is consistency. For Notre Dame and Clemson to truly become rivals in the purest sense, the meetings need to continue—frequent, intense, and consequential.
Thankfully, that appears to be happening. The programs are scheduled to meet multiple times over the next few seasons, and the early indicators suggest that those games will again be among the sport’s biggest events.
This is how rivalries begin—not with declarations or geography, but with games that people remember. Notre Dame and Clemson are building that memory bank now, one bruising quarter at a time.
And in a sport where rivalries define legacies, this one—born of respect, forged in competition, and fueled by ambition—might just be the next classic chapter in college football’s rich history.
