Notre Dame at USC – Preview and Prediction
USC 17.5 NOTRE DAME (57.5)
MEGALOCKS LINE – USC -18 Sagarin ratings – USC -13.5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: USC 37.5 Notre Dame 20
Massey Ratings Projected Score: USC 38 Notre Dame 17
The Game
This rivalry game has lost quite a bit of its luster given the TANK JOB demonstrated by the Fighting Irish this season. They have had injuries to deal with, and have had some tough losses, but last week was a chance to bag a nice win and keep their slim bowl hopes alive. They got off to a fast 17-0 start and then KABOOM. Va Tech had nothing to play for other than pride in that one – and guess what – it showed. Props to the Hokies. Notre Dame is sitting at 4-7 and has one more chance to show some kind of energy. And hopefully more erratic coaching decisions ! Brian Kelly – how about an encore ?
USC needs to hope for a Colorado loss to Utah in order to squeak their way into the PAC 12 Title Game. If that does not happen, a nice win over Notre Dame will assure themselves of getting a fine bowl bid.
The Match-Up
USC offense vs Notre Dame defense
USC has been on quite a roll since Sam Darnold took over at QB. The defense is playing well. The running game is working. RoJo 2.0 had 121 yards and a couple of TDs vs UCLA last week. There is only one team playing better football right now. ROLL TIDE. <grabs popcorn> <waits for threatening email>.
The Trojans should be able to do whatever they want. They are smoking hot right now and the Irish are pathetic at getting any kind of PENETRATION going on defense. They are ranked #115 in sacks per game and #100 in TFL per game. Overall, the defense has been OK, but when they face a team with a legit offense they do not stand much of a chance.
Notre Dame offense vs USC defense
We seem to say it every week. We like D Kizer at QB. He has 24 TD vs 8 INT and some nice mobility. He is inconsistent, but definitely a QB you can build around. Josh Adams is a fine RB and can hit the home run. The targets in the passing game are decent but are going to have trouble against a solid Trojans’ secondary. In general, USC has looked a lot better of late allowing 24,20,13,14 to Cal, Oregon, Washington and UCLA. Notre Dame will have to do a good job on 3rd down and hopefully bag a turnover or two to create field position for the offense.
MEGA MORSELS
The last time these two teams hooked up in Los Angeles it was a 49-14 blowout in favor of USC……FUN WITH NUMBERS….Both starting QBs have the same 24-8 TD to INT ratio.
Summary
USC is not to be faded right now. The spread may be a bit inflated according to some methodologies, but it feels like another Trojan beat down to us. Could Notre Dame fly out west with nothing to play for and come up big ? Sure. I suppose.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Lean: USC any number up to -19.5 for small potatoes.