The fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) are set to enhance their chances of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff as they face off against the USC Trojans (6-5, 4-5) this Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. Notre Dame enters the matchup on a nine-game winning streak and is optimistic about securing a playoff position, but they will have to navigate a challenging opponent, their toughest since facing Texas A&M in Week 1. On the other hand, USC’s inaugural year in the Big Ten has been rocky, though there have been signs of improvement with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava stepping in as quarterback over the past two games.
Head coach Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame has confirmed that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not play, and starting defensive tackle Howard Cross III is dealing with an ankle injury, making him questionable for the game.
Kickoff operations will commence at 3:30 p.m. ET at the United Airlines Field inside the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Fighting Irish are currently favored by seven points, with the total points over/under set at 53.5.
Fans interested in the game can follow along on CBS or stream it on Paramount+, which offers a promotional price of $2.99/month for two months.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every FBS game 10,000 times, has historically provided strong betting insights and has gained over $2,000 in profit for $100 bettors with its top-rated college football picks this season. As the game approaches, the model has identified specific bets for the Notre Dame vs. USC matchup.
When evaluating USC’s chances, the Trojans have shown resilience, boasting a respectable home record of 4-1 this season and a 7-4 record against the spread. Maiava has emerged as a key player, throwing four touchdowns in two recent victories, including a notable performance with three touchdowns in the last home game against Nebraska.
Conversely, Notre Dame boasts an impressive 9-1 record against the spread this season, with an average victory margin of 32.6 points. Quarterback Riley Leonard’s performance has been notable, particularly in his last game against Army, where he achieved a high completion rate and impressive yardage.
In terms of predictions, SportsLine’s model is anticipating a high-scoring game, projecting a total of 58 points scored. They note that one side of the spread is favored in over 60% of the simulations.
As the game approaches, excitement builds for both teams. Notre Dame looks poised to secure their playoff aspirations, while USC aims to make a statement against a formidable opponent. Fans and bettors alike have much to anticipate in this crucial matchup.
Overall, the upcoming match is poised to be an exhilarating showdown with significant implications for both teams, fostering a sense of hope for dramatic gameplay and potential playoff aspirations for Notre Dame.