The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) visit the USC Trojans (10-1) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Notre Dame vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
USC is No. 5 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY sports, while Notre Dame is No. 15. The Trojans are No. 6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
In what started off as a promising year under 1st-year coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame lost its first 2 games, falling to Ohio State and Marshall. Along with a season-ending injury to QB Tyler Buchner, the Irish were behind the 8-ball heading into the rest of their season. A 16-14 loss to visiting Stanford Oct. 15 ended any hope Notre Dame had to make a New Year’s 6 Bowl. Now, the Irish would like nothing better than to knock the Trojans out of playoff contention in this traditional rivalry in the final week of the regular season.
USC kept its playoff hopes alive with a 48-45 comeback win on the road as a 2-point favorite against then-No. 16 UCLA last weekend. The Trojans trailed 14-0 after 1 quarter and 24-20 early in the 3rd before mounting the comeback behind QB Caleb Williams (470 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD) and a finally healthy WR Jordan Addison (11 catches, 178 yards, 1 TD). Williams and Addison should have a big night Saturday as Notre Dame doesn’t have the secondary to stop them.