I was looking at the ND vs SC series history couple days ago, it really goes in streaks big time like you say. One era ND dominates, then SC, then ND, then SC ( pete Carroll) and then ND ( kelly and freeman )
The only real edge USC has had is in keeping ND from UNDEFEATED AND/OR NC SEASONS.
USC victories or, in one case, a tie, have -- IN THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON -- cost ND undefeated, untied seasons -- and, most likely, NC's -- in 38, 48, 64 and 70. And you could argue a possible NC -- given that ND was a one loss team up until that game -- in 74 as in went on to beat Bama that year in the Orange Bowl, making it two years in a row that it kept the TIDE from an NC by beating it in a bowl game.
And, ironically, in that 74 season, ND actually helped USC win the NC twice. Not only by letting itself get taken out by USC in the final game, 55-24, after having led 24-0, but by also taking out Bama.
At the same time, ND failed under the same circumstances in 62 and 74 to keep USC from winning the title.
On the postive side, USC failed in the year's final game to keep ND from winning NC's in 66 and 88, while also failing to keep it from an undefeated regular season in 2012.
Without all of this RICH HISTORY, the rivalry would not be what it'a been.
HEARTBREAKING LOSSES AND GUTSY WINS AT CRITICAL MOMENTS HAVE BEEN CENTRAL TO IT AS BOTH TEAMS HAVE OFTEN BEEN NC CONTENDERS.
