Will Notre Dame escape an upset against USC? Bold predictions for the big game

Notre Dame (10-1) has everything ahead of it and a road trip to Los Angeles to face its biggest rival, USC (6-5).

USC may not have lived up to its expectations for this season, but it’s still a test that shouldn’t be easy for the fifth-ranked Fighting Irish. Even in years when Notre Dame has national championship hopes and USC is down, this trip tends to be a difficult game.

Will that be the case Saturday afternoon at the Los Angeles Coliseum?

That’s what the staff at Notre Dame on Sports Illustrated sees as the Fighting Irish try to secure their trip to the College Football Playoff and the almost certain home game that would come with it.

Notre Dame vs. USC Predictions: Jeff Feyerer

Whether Notre Dame hopes to maximize its potential and secure a playoff spot will be left in no doubt Saturday night in LA. Marcus Freeman went out of his way to lean on the loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2 as a warning about how fleeting a great season could be, but they need to play that tone for another week. The Trojans aren’t as bad as their records suggest. They are 2-5 in games decided by one point, which indicates a lot of bad luck, but they also haven’t played as defensively as the Irish. On to the playoffs.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 38, USC 17

Bold Prediction: Jeremiyah Love completes perfect touchdown season in every game, rushing for 150 yards to pass the 1,000-yard mark this season.

Notre Dame vs. USC Predictions: Nathan Erbach

I think it will be an uphill battle at times, but in the end I think ND is ready for the playoffs and will show that they are in the top 5 in the country, if not better. USC will test the ND defense, but not enough to stay close in the end. ND puts this away at the start of the 4th quarter.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 34, USC 17

Bold Prediction: Christian Gray has his best game of the season, impacting USC’s passing attack with multiple PBUs and a pick

Notre Dame vs. USC Predictions: Mason Plummer

Notre Dame is rolling and Freeman has the guys ready for it. Notre Dame overcomes USC’s early pressure (which is good for them) and beats USC.
Your favorite announcer might choose USC, but this guy isn’t it.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 38, USC 17

Bold Prediction: Love and Price are both aiming for 60+ yards and a touchdown. Irish charge 200+ all day and win in the trenches.

Notre Dame vs. USC Predictions: John Kennedy

The Irish are peaking at just the right time. USC has some great athletes and will make some plays, but through four quarters, Notre Dame will win the battles on both lines. Notre Dame’s defense is on a mission and along with the legs of Jeremiyah Love will take the lead and get the win for Notre Dame.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 35, USC 20

Bold Prediction: A Notre Dame pick-six provides the separation that makes this game feel safe despite being played on the tight side.

Notre Dame vs. USC Predictions: Nick Shepkowski

Call it demons, call it emotional scars, call it whatever you want – I hate Notre Dame games at USC. Even the best Notre Dame teams in my lifetime have mostly struggled at USC, regardless of whether USC was playing for a title or playing for .500. I believe this game will be closely contested, but I like Notre Dame’s advantage in one key area: over USC’s defensive line. While I expect USC to have success with the ball, I have more faith in Notre Dame to make it longer and escape late.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 31, USC 24

Bold Prediction: Notre Dame will lose by double digits at some point in this game before coming back with a touchdown.

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