Final predictions for the huge rivalry matchup between No. 5 Notre Dame and the USC Trojans
When you talk about the best rivalries in all of college football, there aren’t many to the magnitude of Notre Dame versus USC. Both fanbases hate each other, and have a long history of great football games. That rivalry continues on Saturday, with a lot on the line for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has […]
When you talk about the best rivalries in all of college football, there aren’t many to the magnitude of Notre Dame versus USC. Both fanbases hate each other, and have a long history of great football games. That rivalry continues on Saturday, with a lot on the line for the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame has their playoff hopes on the line, while USC is playing for pride. The A to Z staff put together final score predictions for the game, and seem mostly on the same page. There’s little question which team has the upper hand on paper.
Notre Dame 34, USC 24
Notre Dame is playing their best football, with quarterback Riley Leonard looking poised and confident both as a runner and as a passer. Leonard, who is second on the team in rushing yards and is one behind running back Jeremiyah Love's rushing touchdown benchmark of 14, is proving to give defenses headaches. Their run game can spring big plays with the best of them, and they dominate the trenches on both sides. Jayden Maiava has given USC a playmaking spark at quarterback, but I expect Notre Dame to win pretty comfortably. – Jon Helmkamp
Notre Dame 37, USC 28
This is a game that not many expected to be this lopsided when it comes to how each season has gone. The Trojans are now a bad team, teetering on the line of okay, as Lincoln Riley and his offense continue to blow leads, and the defense is back to how we thought it would be. As for Notre Dame, they played fantastic against a good Army team last week, and their defense is bound to show up again. This is a rivalry game, though, and I think the score will be close, but Notre Dame will control the game for almost the entirety of it. – Justin Churchill
Notre Dame 38, USC 24
The Irish are playing great ball in all three phases, and have figured out how to maximize their offense around Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love. USC's move to Jayden Maiava has sparked the unit a little, but the Trojans still don't have the trench play to win these games. The Irish will dictate how this game plays out, and will never lose control. – Ian Valentino
Notre Dame 35, USC 20
This is the final outing for Notre Dame to cement their playoff resume. Quite simply, win and you’re in, and you host a first round home game. The Trojans don’t have anything to that magnitude on the line, instead playing for pride. With how talented the Irish are, and how dominant they have been recently, it’s tough to picture pride being enough to tilt the scales. Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love have big days on their way to a comfortable victory. – Ryan Roberts
