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The current Accuweather forecast predicts a chilly start to Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game between the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with temperatures in the high 40s and partly cloudy skies.
The exact moment @kristenmlago and I told running back Keaontay Ingram, a Texas native, the expected temp in South Bend is low 40s pic.twitter.com/cHH4m2Gn53
— Chris Treviño (@ChrisNTrevino) October 20, 2021
Since every home game against USC in the Brian Kelly era has kicked off in near primetime, this will feel like more of the same for regular attendees of the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football. The temperature at kickoff for the 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 mid-October games were 58, 48, 43, 70 and 51 respectively.
The forecast is calling for skies to clear, with no chance of rain and only slight dips in the temperature by the final whistle. Expect it to feel like the low 40s when you’re traipsing back to your vehicle.
The good news is you won’t need to make drastic changes in apparel, as the mercury will hit no higher than mid-50s and will stay between 41 and 57 all day. I’ll be there, sporting this Homefield Apparel hoodie and eating your seven-layer dip.
The Irish are 10-4-1 all-time on Oct. 23, having last played Navy on this date. The Midshipmen flummoxed new coach Brian Kelly, winning 35-17 at New Meadowlands Stadium (now MetLife). That game had a 56 degree noon kickoff.
The last time Notre Dame hosted a team on Oct. 23 was a heartbreaking, final-minute 24-23 loss to Boston College in 2004. The weather was 63 degrees, breezy and rainy.
For your enjoyment, here is the last time Notre Dame and USC played on Oct. 23: