2023 WeAreSC Travel Guide: Game 7 – USC At Notre Dame Weekender Special edition (Updated Thurs., Oct. 12)

NO. 10 USC TROJANS (6-0, 4-0 P-12)/ NO. 21 Notre Dame (5-2)
Date: Oct.14
Day: Saturday
Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
Televised: NBC
Location: South Bend, Indiana

Airports(s): Chicago O’Hare/Chicago Midway/South Bend Airport

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
Capacity: (77,622)

Surface: Field Turf
Parking lots open: 8 a.m.
Stadium gates open: 6 p.m.
Mask requirement: Optional
Tickets: Sold out

Seating Chart:

Websites: und.com / usctrojans.com

The opening line: Notre Dame is a 2 ½-point favorite to beat USC.

Projected Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Chicago Weather Forecast: (UPDATED THURS., OCT. 12)

Friday: (Day Rain 90%/Night rain 95% – possible thunderstorms)
High: 61
Low: 54
Humidity: Day 82%/Night 91%
Precipitation: Day 93%/Night 93%
Winds: 15-25 mph.

Saturday: (Day rain 79%/ Night rain 78%)
High: 56
Low: 50
Humidity: Day 88%/Night 78%
Precipitation: Day 79%/Night 46%
Wind: 20-30 mph.

Sunday: Morning showers 60%
High: 53
Low: 47
Humidity: Day 79%
Precipitation: Day 54%
Wind: 10-20 mph.

Projected Saturday South Bend Weather Game Forecast: (UPDATED THURS., OCT. 12)
Overcast intermittent rain showers: Day rain 70% day/Night rain 40%
High: Cloudy 54
Low: 45
Humidity: Day 91%/Night 87%
Precipitation: Day 68%/Night 38%
Wind: 10-20 mph.

Important time change: South Bend is in the Eastern Time zone as opposed to Chicago, which is in the Central Time Zone. (i.e. 2 p.m. in Chicago/3 p.m. in South Bend).

Hotels and places to stay in Chicago/South Bend:

Chicago:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsList-Chicago-Downtown-Hotels-zfp718718.html

South Bend area:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g37535-Activities-South_Bend_Indiana.html

Things to do in Chicago:

https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/chicago-voted-best-big-city/

Things to do in South Bend:

https://www.visitsouthbend.com/events/this-weekend/

Friday – Oct. 13:

Chicago USC Pep Rally: Weather permitting, the USC Marching Band will provide a noontime pep rally on the Navy Pier, which is alongside Lake Michigan with a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline.

Saturday, Oct. 14

DIRECTIONS TO NOTRE DAME STADIUM

From O’Hare Airport:
Take Route 190 east out of O’Hare to Route 90 east (Kennedy Expressway) toward downtown Chicago. Merges with Route 94 south (Dan Ryan Expressway). Take Skyway exit off the Dan Ryan and remain on Route 90 to Indiana Toll Road. Eventually merges with Route 80. Use Exit 77 (South Bend/Notre Dame).

Note: An alternative route: Take Route 190 east out of O’Hare to Interstate 294 south (Tri-State Tollway) and follow the signs for 80/294 and then Interstate 80-90 (Indiana Toll Road). Use Exit 77 (South Bend/Notre Dame).

From Chicago Midway Airport (toll roads):
Get on I-55 N/Stevenson Express Way from S. Cicero Ave. Follow I-90 E to Douglas Rd in Clay Township. Take exit 77 from 1-90 East. Continue to Douglas Rd and follow traffic.

From South Bend International Airport:

Turn left out of the airport entrance onto Lincoln Way West. Once in downtown South Bend, turn left on Michigan Street (Indiana 933). Continue to Angela Boulevard, the second stoplight north of the St. Joseph River. Turn right on Angela Boulevard. Turn left on Notre Dame Avenue.

From Indiana Toll Road

Use Exit 77 (South Bend/Notre Dame). Turn left (north) onto SR 933/Bus.31. Go north – third traffic light (Cleveland Road) turn right (east). At the first traffic light (Juniper Road) turn right, south on Juniper Road. Public Parking is just past the bridge. Please follow directions of traffic control personnel as you approach the campus area.

From Indianapolis

Follow U.S. 31 North. That becomes SR 933/Bus.31 just south of South Bend. Proceed through South Bend and continue north. DO NOT turn on Angela Boulevard but proceed north (past Notre Dame and the Toll Road entrance) and to Cleveland Road, turn right (east). At the first traffic light (Juniper Road) turn right, south on Juniper Road. Public Parking is just past the bridge. Please follow directions of traffic control personnel as you approach the campus area.

Notre Dame Stadium parking and map:

https://fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ParkingMap_2023_CA_Parking-3.pdf

Notre Dame football campus traditions and Campus Highlights for Friday and Saturday:

https://fightingirish.com/fbgameday-traditionsandevents/

Big Noon in South Bend: FOX’s Saturday Big Noon pregame show, which includes legendary Trojan quarterback Matt Leinart and Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn, will be on the Notre Dame campus on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. local SB time.

Trojan arrival walk: Expect the Trojans team buses to arrive at Notre Dame Stadium with a police escort around 4:45 p.m. The players’ entrance is facing “Touchdown Jesus.” Beware that there is a huge turnout by both fans of the Trojans and Irish and gets pretty wild.

Notre Dame Walk: The equivalent to the Trojans’ Walk, gather in front of the Reflection

Pool at Hesburgh Library to watch as the Fighting Irish march from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart into Notre Dame Stadium. This festive event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with performances by the Glee Club, Cheer Team, Notre Dame Band, and Bagpipe Band before the team enters the stadium at approximately 5:15 p.m.

Notre Dame Stadium Clear Bag Policy:

https://fightingirish.com/fbgameday-info/