Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) vs. USC Trojans (6-5)
November 30, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: USC Trojans +7.5 / Notre Dame Fighting Irish -7.5; Over/Under: +56.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the USC Trojans meet in week 14 college football action from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC vs Notre Dame Prediction.
Notre Dame Recap
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish come into this one looking to finish the season right after improving to 10-1 on the year with a 49-14 win over Army last time out.
Irish Looking To Lock Up Playoff Spot
Riley Leonard has thrown for 1,937 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions on 65.3% passing while also rushing for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Jeremiyah Love has 850 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while Jadarian Price has 540 rushing yards and 6 TDs. Beaux Collins has a team-high 34 receptions for 427 yards as well to lead Notre Dame’s receivers. On defense, Jack Kiser has a team-high 56 total tackles including 34 solo tackles while Rylie Mills has a team-high 6.5 sacks and Xavier Watts has 4 interceptions while Adon Shuler has 3 picks this season. The Irish defense as a whole has combined for 29 sacks and 15 interceptions as well on the year.
Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will win
- Notre Dame has won 20 of its last 21 November games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- USC has lost seven of its last eight games against opponents from the FBS Independents.
- Notre Dame has covered the spread in each of its last seven games.
USC Recap
The USC Trojans will be out to play spoiler after clinching bowl eligibility and improving to 6-5 on the year with a 19-13 win over UCLA last time out.
Trojans Trying To Spoil Notre Dame’s Party
Miller Moss has thrown for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions on 64.4% passing while Jayden Maiava has thrown for 546 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a pick on 64.2% passing. Woody Marks has a team-high 1,100 rushing yards with 9 TDs and Quinten Joyner has 395 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns. Makai Lemon leads the Trojans with 37 catches for 532 yards and 3 touchdowns while Zachariah Branch has 458 receiving yards on 43 grabs. Kyron Hudson has 436 receiving yards with 3 TDs while Ja’Kobi Lane has 372 receiving yards with 6 TDs. Duce Robinson and Woody Marks each have 300+ receiving yards with Robinson logging 5 TDs. On defense, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold has a team-high 87 total tackles including 49 solo tackles and 3 sacks while he, Jaylin Smith, and Mason Cobb each have 2 interceptions. USC’s defense as a whole has combined for 18 sacks and 9 interceptions this season.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- USC has won each of its last six games against non-conference opponents at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- Notre Dame has lost three of its last four games at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
- The home team has covered the spread in nine of USC’s last 10 games.
- Notre Dame has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC vs Notre Dame Prediction
I’m on USC here with the points. I think Notre Dame wins, but this is USC’s game of the year now with a mid-level bowl game looking like their future in the coming weeks and the chance to play spoiler for a rival’s playoff hopes in Notre Dame. The Irish just need to get in and get out with a win to secure a playoff spot and a home game most likely, and I think that the Irish win this one by 4-7 points. Give me USC and the points here.
