The fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with a record of 10-1, are set to enhance their College Football Playoff prospects as they take on the USC Trojans, who stand at 6-5, on Saturday. This exciting matchup will air on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. The Fighting Irish are riding a nine-game winning streak and looking to secure a CFP spot, but they are up against their most formidable opponent since their season opener against Texas A&M. The Trojans, now in their first year in the Big Ten, have struggled but have exhibited improvement in recent weeks, especially with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava making strides at quarterback.
Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, has announced that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not participate in Saturday’s game. Additionally, 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 the United Airlines Field at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Fighting Irish enter the matchup as 7-point favorites, with an over/under set at 53.5 points, based on consensus odds from SportsLine. Betting enthusiasts are encouraged to consult SportsLine for expert predictions and insights before placing any bets.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every FBS game 10,000 times, has generated impressive returns for its users, amassing over $2,000 in profits for $100 bettors on its top-rated college football picks. With its strong performance this season—27-17 on top-rated picks—fans can now find up-to-date betting advice for the highly anticipated game between USC and Notre Dame on SportsLine.
Reasons for USC’s Potential Success
Although USC’s transition to the Big Ten has been rocky, they’ve managed to hold a winning record at home (4-1) and maintain a 7-4 ATS record this season. The Trojans have shown resilience, covering the spread in three of their last four contests, two of which took place at home. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has emerged as a key player, throwing for four touchdowns across back-to-back victories. His last home game was particularly impressive, where he passed for 259 yards with three touchdowns in a win against Nebraska.
Reasons for Notre Dame’s Confidence
The Fighting Irish boast an impressive 9-1-0 record against the spread this season and have shown their dominance with an average margin of victory of 32.6 points. They recently dealt Army its first loss of the year, winning decisively 49-14 while comfortably covering a 14-point spread. Quarterback Riley Leonard will be pivotal, having averaged 11.4 yards per pass with a 76.9% completion rate in his last outing. With a passer rating of 126.3 in away games this season, he is set to challenge a USC passing defense that has struggled, allowing an average of 235.6 yards per game.
How to Approach the Game
The SportsLine model predicts a high-scoring affair, projecting a total of 58 points. It indicates that one side of the spread is likely to hit over 60% of the time. To discover the exact predictions and betting strategies, viewers are urged to check SportsLine.
As Saturday approaches, college football fans can look forward to an exciting clash filled with playoff implications, showcasing two teams vying for victory amidst their unique challenges. No matter the outcome, both Notre Dame and USC fans will be treated to a thrilling game that highlights the unpredictability and excitement of college football.