The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, currently with a record of 10-1, are set to enhance their chances for a College Football Playoff berth as they travel to face the USC Trojans, who sit at 6-5, on Saturday. This matchup will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Fighting Irish are on a remarkable nine-game winning streak, but they will face arguably their toughest opponent since their season opener against Texas A&M. Conversely, the Trojans have struggled in their inaugural Big Ten season but have shown signs of improvement in their last two games, particularly with Jayden Maiava stepping in as quarterback after transferring from UNLV.
Ahead of the game, Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, confirmed that linebackers Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Bodie Kahoun will not play, while starting defensive tackle Howard Cross III is doubtful due to an ankle injury.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET at United Airlines Field at the LA Memorial Coliseum. The Fighting Irish are currently favored by seven points according to the latest odds, with a total points over/under set at 53.5.
USC holds a positive outlook as they strive to stay above .500 at home, currently holding a 4-1 record at their home ground and covering the spread in three of their last four games. Maiava has been particularly effective, throwing four touchdowns over the past two low-scoring victories. While facing a formidable Notre Dame passing defense, the absence of standout cornerback Benjamin Morrison due to injury may open opportunities for the Trojans.
On the other hand, Notre Dame has demonstrated their offensive prowess, boasting 10 wins this season and a strong average victory margin of 32.6 points. Key player Riley Leonard has shown impressive stats, completing 76.9% of his passes against Army, where they recently achieved a significant 49-14 victory.
The advanced SportsLine Projection Model predicts the game will exceed the total points with a projection of 58 combined points, and it suggests that one side of the spread is likely to succeed over 60% of the time. With strong performances anticipated from both teams, fans and bettors alike are poised for an exciting contest.
Overall, this game presents a wonderful opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills and grit. Even with the challenges faced by USC and the injuries affecting Notre Dame, the matchup has the potential to be thrilling, further captivating college football fans and possibly shaping the playoff landscape.
In summary, the Fighting Irish have the momentum and a strategic edge, but the Trojans are not to be underestimated, particularly at home with their recent improvements. This convergence of talent and tenacity sets the stage for an engaging showdown.