Notre Dame continues to expand its national footprint, and its latest scheduling move adds some serious interest. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Irish and Auburn have formally agreed to a home-and-home series in 2027 and 2028, marking the first-ever meeting between these two storied programs. Auburn will visit South Bend in 2027, with Notre Dame making the return trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium the following year.

This series fits Notre Dame’s broader scheduling strategy, which emphasizes first-time opponents and a stronger presence in the SEC. Recent and upcoming home-and-home matchups with Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Georgia, along with future games against Texas, Alabama, and Florida, reinforce that push.

In addition, the Irish are finalizing a 12-year agreement with Clemson beginning in 2027, alongside maintaining their traditional rivalry with USC. For the College Football Playoff era, these matchups provide Notre Dame with a critical strength-of-schedule anchor as the selection criteria evolve for the FBS independent.

Currently ranked No. 10 after rebounding from an 0-2 start, Notre Dame remains a playoff contender under head coach Marcus Freeman. Freeman has also been mentioned as a candidate for several coaching openings, including Florida, LSU, and Penn State.

On the other hand, Auburn is entering a rebuilding phase following the firing of Hugh Freeze amid a 4-5 season. However, by 2027, the Tigers’ new coach will have ample time to reshape the program ahead of what promises to be a great non-conference showdown between two of college football’s most recognizable brands.

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https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/notre-dame/news/auburn-and-notre-dame-agree-home-and-home-starting-2027/7ce7ce6c2e567ba29f2fea72