In Week 7 of the college football season, the No. 10 USC Trojans head out on the road to take on No. 21 Notre Dame. The Trojans are 6-0 this season, while the Fighting Irish are 5-2. Over the past three weeks, Notre Dame has lost twice, once at home to Ohio State, 17-14, and the other on the road against Louisville, 33-20. The team also had a close call in Week 5 on the road against Duke but won, 21-14.
As for the Trojans, they escaped with a home win against Arizona last week, 43-41, and beat up the Colorado Buffaloes in Week 5, but the Buffaloes surged late to lose by a score of just 48-41. Other than that, it’s been a safe season score-wise for the Trojans, but before those games, they played San Jose State, Nevada, Stanford, and Arizona State.
Below, we’ll examine this game further, considering the betting lines for the point spread and the overall odds of each team winning the game.
Fighting Irish defense vs. Caleb Williams
To this point, the Fighting Irish have generated 129 total pressures, including 11 sacks. The Trojans’ offensive line has allowed just three sacks on 35 pressures, but it’ll need to contend with Howard Cross III, who’s tied for 12th in the nation with 20 pressures. USC quarterback Caleb Williams has shown the ability to throw against any defense in the country if he gets time. It’s taking him 3.13 seconds this season to throw the ball, and he’s completing 71.4% of his passes.
Lloyd likely another key for USC
USC running back MarShawn Lloyd has rushed 66 times this season for 521 yards (7.9 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. The Fighting Irish have allowed 140.2 rushing yards per game (128.5 at home). If Lloyd can continue finding success on the ground while Williams has time to throw, the Fighting Irish offense and quarterback Sam Hartman will likely have some work to do to keep pace.
The USC defense has allowed 36.7 points per game over its last three, so the potential is there for a high-scoring matchup.
Notre Dame vs. USC odds and betting lines
Notre Dame vs. USC player props
Quarterback props
Running back props
Wide receiver props
Notre Dame vs. USC injury report: Who’s out, who’s starting
The mystery involving freshman USC wide receiver and return man Zachariah Branch continues to linger, and it’s not looking likely that he’ll suit up for this one. For the Fighting Irish, they’ll have Thomas Harper and Gabe Rubio back in the lineup. Harper is their starting slot cornerback. He’s allowed 14 receptions on 24 targets this season for 140 yards and one touchdown. Below is a full injury breakdown:
| Team | Player | Status |
| USC Trojans | Zachariah Branch | Questionable |
| USC Trojans | Korey Foreman | Questionable |
| USC Trojans | Domani Jackson | Questionable |
| USC Trojans | Raleek Brown | Out Indefinitely |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Eli Raridon | Out |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Chris Salerno | Out for the season |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Kevin Bauman | Out for the season |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | KK Smith | Out indefinitely |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Thomas Harper | Likely to play |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Gabe Rubio | Likely to play |
