The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) are set to strengthen their College Football Playoff prospects as they face the USC Trojans (6-5, 4-5) on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup broadcasted on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Notre Dame is riding high with a nine-game winning streak and is in a strong position for a CFP bid, but they will be challenged by a USC team that is seeking momentum after a rocky start in the Big Ten. The Trojans have showcased improvement in recent performances under their new quarterback, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava.
Ahead of the game, Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not participate, while starting defensive tackle Howard Cross III is questionable due to an ankle injury.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET from United Airlines Field at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Fighting Irish enter as 7-point favorites, with the total points over/under set at 53.5.
Sports betting insights reveal the NCAA model, which has documented success with a betting profit exceeding $2,000 for $100 players, is poised to provide insights into this matchup. The model has recorded a strong performance on various top-rated picks throughout the season.
Despite a challenging season, USC has demonstrated resilience at home with a 4-1 record, and they have covered the spread in three of their last four games. Maiava’s recent form is encouraging; he threw for four touchdowns over the past two games, and in his last home outing against Nebraska, he achieved impressive stats with three touchdown passes.
On the other hand, Notre Dame has been dominant this season with an impressive average margin of victory of 32.6 points and a near-perfect 9-1 record against the spread. Quarterback Riley Leonard’s performance has been stellar, especially following a recent 49-14 victory over Army, where he showcased his throwing prowess with a high completion percentage.
With both teams bringing their distinct strengths to the field, this matchup presents an exciting opportunity for Notre Dame to solidify their playoff hopes while USC pushes for a much-needed win.
In conclusion, the clash between Notre Dame and USC promises to be a thrilling encounter for college football fans. As both teams aim to secure pivotal victories, viewers can expect an action-packed game. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch all the action live on CBS and Paramount+.