The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, sporting a record of 10-1, aim to secure their place in the College Football Playoff as they face the USC Trojans (6-5, 4-5) on Saturday. The match will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+. Notre Dame is riding high with nine consecutive victories and is set to encounter its toughest challenge since their season opener against Texas A&M. On the other hand, USC is navigating a challenging transition in its first year in the Big Ten but has shown signs of improvement recently, thanks in part to the strong performances of UNLV transfer quarterback Jayden Maiava.
In preparation for this significant matchup, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has confirmed that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not play, while defensive tackle Howard Cross III is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.
The game is scheduled for kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET at United Airlines Field at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Notre Dame is favored by 7 points, with the over/under set at 53.5 points. For those interested in betting, detailed predictions and models from SportsLine provide insights that have generated considerable returns for players.
USC has the potential to perform well despite its rocky start to the Big Ten season. The Trojans maintain a positive home record of 4-1 and have covered the spread in three of their last four games. Jayden Maiava has been a key figure, having thrown four touchdowns in recent contests, including an impressive showing against Nebraska in their last home game.
On the other side, Notre Dame has showcased its strength this season, boasting a remarkable 9-1-0 record against the spread in 2024. They recently demonstrated their prowess with a dominant 49-14 win against Army, effectively covering a 14-point spread.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard, who has been excelling with significant yardage and high completion rates in recent games. As he faces a USC defense allowing 235.6 passing yards per game, he has an opportunity to further establish his impact.
Experts predict an exciting contest, with SportsLine’s model anticipating a total of 58 points scored in this matchup. As the game approaches, fans and bettors alike are eager to see if Notre Dame can maintain its winning momentum and secure its playoff aspirations.
This matchup presents a crucial opportunity for both teams, with Notre Dame looking to cement its playoff hopes and USC striving to conclude its season on a high note. The outcome remains uncertain, but both teams will bring their best to the field, promising an engaging and competitive game for college football fans everywhere.