The fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, holding a record of 10-1, are gearing up to strengthen their College Football Playoff aspirations with an upcoming game against the USC Trojans, who currently sit at 6-5. This matchup will take place at United Airlines Field at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+.
Notre Dame comes into this game riding a nine-game winning streak and is poised for a potential CFP bid, although they are set to face their most formidable opponent since their early season clash with Texas A&M. The Trojans have encountered challenges in their first year within the Big Ten but have shown signs of improvement, particularly with UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava starting at quarterback for the past two games. However, Notre Dame will be without two key linebackers, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun, while starting defensive tackle Howard Cross III is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.
In terms of betting lines, Notre Dame is currently favored to win by 7 points, with the total points set at 53.5. SportsLine’s projection model has shown consistent success, claiming strong returns for its top-rated college football picks this season.
USC is banking on a solid performance at home. They have a 4-1 record at home and have covered the spread in three of their last four games. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has played impressively in recent outings, throwing for a combined four touchdowns in their last two games, including a noteworthy performance against Nebraska.
On the other hand, Notre Dame has not only excelled on the field with 10 wins this season but also boasts a remarkable 9-1 record against the spread. Quarterback Riley Leonard is in excellent form, displaying an impressive completion rate and significant yardage in his games, and he’ll aim to capitalize on a USC defense that has allowed considerable passing yards throughout the season.
For anyone interested in predictions and betting insights, SportsLine’s advanced model projects a total of 58 combined points for the matchup and identifies which side of the spread is likely to succeed in over 60% of simulations.
As the Fighting Irish prepare to battle the Trojans, both teams are eyeing crucial victories that could define their seasons. Fans can remain hopeful for an exciting game that may hold implications for postseason play, showcasing the talent and determination of both teams.