The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) are preparing to reinforce their College Football Playoff hopes as they face off against the USC Trojans (6-5, 4-5) on Saturday, airing live on CBS and Paramount+. The Fighting Irish are riding a nine-game winning streak, positioning themselves favorably for a playoff bid, although this upcoming game marks a significant challenge, being their toughest matchup since Week 1 against Texas A&M. USC, in their inaugural Big Ten season, has faced a rocky path but demonstrated improvement in recent weeks, particularly with Jayden Maiava, a transfer from UNLV, leading the Trojans’ offense.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman announced that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not play in this game, and starting defensive tackle Howard Cross III is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at United Airlines Field within the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum. In the latest betting odds, Notre Dame is favored by 7 points, while the total points line has been set at 53.5 according to the SportsLine consensus. Before placing any bets on the USC vs. Notre Dame matchup, it’s advisable to check out the college football predictions and betting insights available from SportsLine.
Viewers can catch the game live on CBS or stream it via Paramount+, which offers a promotional subscription rate of $2.99 per month for two months valid until December 4, 2023.
The SportsLine model has performed impressively, simulating each FBS game 10,000 times, generating significant betting profits for players. As anticipation builds for the USC vs. Notre Dame contest, the model has made predictions regarding the betting landscape, and fans eager to know more can find the model’s insights at SportsLine.
Reasons for optimism for the Trojans include their solid home performance, boasting an above .500 record, and an impressive 4-1 at home. USC has also shown resilience against the spread, covering in three of their last four matches. Jayden Maiava has recently emerged as a key player, throwing for four touchdowns in back-to-back victories.
On the other hand, Notre Dame brings a season filled with success, evidenced by their 10 victories and a robust average of 32.6 points per victory. Quarterback Riley Leonard is expected to play a vital role again, having averaged an impressive 11.4 yards per pass along with a completion rate of 76.9% in their recent duel against Army, predicting an exciting contest ahead.
The prediction model from SportsLine anticipates a high-scoring affair, projecting a total of 58 points combined, and identifies a clear opportunity on one side of the spread, boasting over a 60% success rate in simulations.
In summary, as both teams gear up for this crucial clash, Notre Dame aims to solidify their playoff position, while USC looks to capitalize on their recent improvements in hopes of finishing the season strong. Fans can look forward to a thrilling rivalry game that could have substantial implications for both teams.
Fingers crossed for an energetic match filled with unforgettable moments!