Within the everlasting rivalry between USC and Notre Dame, the 2020s have belonged to the Preventing Irish. Notre Dame has gained 4 of the 5 video games within the collection performed this decade—the Trojans’ solely win got here in 2022—to go along with three straight wins to finish the 2010s.
It is a far cry from the back-and-forth nature of ex-Preventing Irish linebacker Manti Te’o’s period. Throughout Te’o’s four-year keep in South Bend from 2009 to ’12, the 2 groups break up their 4 conferences.
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The 2012 Heisman runner-up appears to be having fun with Notre Dame’s dominance accordingly. On Tuesday, his household’s TikTok acount posted video of Te’o parading by means of his neighborhood of USC followers holding a Preventing Irish flag and singing the college’s struggle music.
How will you not love Manti Te’o?!
A real Notre Dame man. pic.twitter.com/BBID9tYes9
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) October 21, 2025
“When your complete block is SC followers however ND simply acquired the dub,” the Te’os captioned the submit.
The ’12 version of the sport secured the Preventing Irish’s spot within the nationwide championship in opposition to Alabama; Te’o contributed 5 tackles and an interception in Notre Dame’s 22–13 win. It additionally served as Te’o’s ultimate case for the Heisman; he settled for second to Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The way forward for the Trojans’ and Preventing Irish’s annual feud seems to be in doubt, however not less than Te’o had one final chortle.
