Usc Trojans vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

USC Trojans vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish November 30th 2024

Notre Dame is favored by -7.5 points as they head into this week 14 non-conference matchup against the USC Trojans. Kick-off is set for 3:30 ET at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, and you can catch the action on CBS. The over/under line is currently at 51.5 points. Notre Dame comes in with a 10-1 record, while USC is 6-5 on the season.

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Notre Dame vs. USC Key Information

• Teams: Fighting Irish at Trojans
• Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles
• Date: Saturday, November 30th
• Betting Odds ND -272 | USC +218 O/U 51.5

The Fighting Irish Can Win If…

Notre Dame enters Week 14 against USC with a 10-1 record, but they have no chance of winning the FBS Independents. They are a lock for bowl eligibility and have a 90.5% chance of making the playoff. The Fighting Irish are also 3rd in our CFB power rankings.

Notre Dame is 9-1 as the favorite this season and 1-0 as the underdog. They have a +27.4 average scoring margin and are 9-2 against the spread, going 4-0 ATS on the road and 5-2 at home.

This week’s over/under line is 51.5 points. Notre Dame’s games have averaged 50.6 points, with an average line of 46.7 points. Their over/under record is 6-5, with an average margin of +3.9 points.

Heading into week 14, Notre Dame’s offense ranks 6th in points per game, averaging 39, and they are 15th in our offensive power rankings. Their rushing attack is their strength, with 222.8 yards per game, placing them 10th nationally.

Jeremiyah Love leads the ground game with 850 yards, 14 touchdowns, and an impressive 7 yards per carry. Quarterback Riley Leonard has thrown for 1,937 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, with a passer rating of 97. Beaux Collins leads the receivers with 427 yards and two touchdowns.

Notre Dame’s defense has been a standout unit this season, ranking second in the nation by allowing just 11.6 points per game. They’ve also held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 50.4, the second-lowest in the country, and limited them to 139.5 passing yards per game, the fourth-lowest figure nationally.

In their recent game against Army, Notre Dame’s defense gave up just 14 points and allowed only 26 passing yards. Army ran the ball 58 times, gaining 207 rushing yards, while Notre Dame’s defense forced just 15 first downs in the game.

• Spanning across their last three games, Notre Dame have gone 3-0. Against the spread, the team is 3-0 in these same games while going 2-1 on the over/under.
• Across Notre Dame’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 9-1. Their record vs the spread sits at 8-2 in these matchups, while posting a 6-4 over-under mark.

The Trojans Can Win If…

USC comes into Week 14 with a 6-5 record, ranked 18th in our power rankings. They are 5-0 at home this season but have struggled on the road with a 1-4 record. The Trojans are already bowl-eligible and have a 0.0% chance of winning the Big Ten, according to projections.

USC has been favored in nine of their 11 games this season, going 5-4 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +8.1 points per game, and they are 6-4 against the spread. At home, they are 5-0 ATS, while on the road, they are 1-4.

The over/under line for this week’s game is 51.5 points. USC’s average over/under line this season is 54.3 points, and their over/under record is 3-6-1, with their games averaging 50.5 points.

USC’s offense ranks 46th in points per game, averaging 29.3, but they are 19th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 14. The Trojans rely heavily on their passing game, ranking 7th in passing attempts and 8th in completions, with 285.5 yards per game through the air.

Miller Moss has thrown for 2,555 yards, completing 64.4% of his passes, with 18 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He has a passer rating of 91. Woody Marks leads the rushing attack with 1,100 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry.

USC’s defense has allowed 21.2 points per game this season, ranking 27th nationally. Against UCLA, they gave up just 13 points, allowing 16 first downs and 376 total yards, including 111 rushing yards on 26 attempts and 265 passing yards.

Opponents have averaged 131.6 rushing yards per game on 30 attempts against USC, while quarterbacks have posted a 67.2% completion rate and 236 passing yards per game, ranking USC 115th in passing yards allowed.

• USC has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. In addition, their ATS record over this stretch is 3-0 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, USC has a record of 6-4. In these contests, the team went just 7-3 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Lean

Our combined score projection for this Notre Dame vs. USC matchup is 54 points, which is just above the current over/under line of 51.5 points. We recommend taking the over in this one.

Notre Dame is favored by -7.5 points on the road, and we have them winning the game 32-22. The Irish are set to cover the spread as road favorites.

Weekly College Football Picks from Expert Handicappers

No. 5 Notre Dame Aims to Lock In CFP Berth in Rivalry Showdown vs. USC

When No. 5 Notre Dame travels to Los Angeles for the 95th meeting with arch-rival USC, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win would likely secure the Fighting Irish (10-1) a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP), while USC (6-5) hopes to play spoiler and extend their late-season resurgence.

Notre Dame’s Quest for CFP Glory

Notre Dame enters the rivalry matchup riding a nine-game winning streak, positioning themselves firmly in the CFP conversation. Their most recent triumph, a dominant 49-14 victory over then-No. 19 Army, underscored their ability to handle high-pressure games.

The Fighting Irish rebounded strongly after an unexpected early-season loss to Northern Illinois, stringing together consistent victories. Head coach Marcus Freeman highlighted the importance of this game, noting, “This will truly be our biggest challenge to date.”

Defense Leading the Way

A hallmark of Notre Dame’s success this season has been their suffocating defense:

• Points Allowed: Ranked second nationally, giving up just 11.6 points per game.
• Turnovers Forced: A nation-leading 26, with standout safeties Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler combining for seven interceptions.
  This defensive dominance has powered Notre Dame to win every game since Oct. 12 by at least 18 points, proving their ability to control opponents on both sides of the ball.

Final Opportunity to Impress

Without a conference championship game, Notre Dame’s CFP hopes rest on this finale. Only eight teams remain with one or fewer losses, making a convincing win crucial.

USC’s Season of Resilience

Though USC’s 6-5 record reflects a challenging season, the Trojans have shown grit and determination, particularly in recent weeks. After a 4-5 start, USC closed their Big Ten season with back-to-back wins over Nebraska and UCLA, securing bowl eligibility and building momentum.

Close Calls and Turning Points

The Trojans’ record masks how competitive they’ve been. Five of their losses came by a total of just 19 points. Head coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged the team’s resilience, stating, “When you come here, the history behind this game is so epic. It just is.”

Emergence of Jayden Maiava

A pivotal factor in USC’s recent success is the rise of quarterback Jayden Maiava. Taking over for Miller Moss, Maiava has delivered under pressure:

• Against Nebraska, he accounted for all four touchdowns, with three passing and one rushing.
• In a tight game against UCLA, Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane for a late touchdown that sealed the win.
  His dual-threat abilities will be critical as USC faces Notre Dame’s elite defense.

Rivalry and Recent Trends

The Notre Dame-USC rivalry is one of college football’s most storied matchups, and the home team has won every meeting since 2019. USC hopes to continue that trend at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

High Stakes for Both Sides

• For Notre Dame: A win solidifies their CFP berth and caps an impressive season.
• For USC: An opportunity to end their season on a high note, spoil Notre Dame’s postseason aspirations, and extend their winning streak.

Despite USC’s spoiler potential, coach Marcus Freeman remains focused, noting the quality of USC’s team and their ability to perform well at home.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Notre Dame Defense vs. Jayden Maiava:
   Notre Dame’s ability to disrupt plays with turnovers and limit scoring will be tested by Maiava’s creativity and athleticism.
2. Notre Dame’s Offense vs. USC’s Defense:
   While much of the focus is on the Fighting Irish defense, their offense, led by efficient quarterback play and a strong rushing attack, will aim to exploit USC’s vulnerabilities.
3. The Intangibles:
   Rivalry games often come down to heart and execution. USC’s ability to channel the emotional weight of the game could prove decisive.

Coaches’ Perspectives

• Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame): Freeman called the game Notre Dame’s biggest challenge, not just because of USC’s recent form but also due to external factors like the rivalry’s history and stakes.
• Lincoln Riley (USC): Riley downplayed the spoiler narrative, emphasizing respect for the rivalry’s rich tradition and the need for focused preparation.

Conclusion: A Rivalry for the Ages

This year’s Notre Dame-USC game carries immense significance, blending tradition, high stakes, and compelling storylines. Notre Dame seeks to cap their regular season with a CFP berth, relying on a dominant defense and consistent offensive execution. Meanwhile, USC aims to continue their late-season resurgence and protect their home turf in one of college football’s greatest rivalries.

With so much on the line, expect nothing less than a hard-fought and thrilling contest under the bright lights of Los Angeles.