Noah Cahill
It’s easy to overlook one or two games. Three begins to feel like a trend. After allowing just over 30 points per game in their first three contests, the Irish defense has tightened up during their four-game win streak, giving up only two touchdowns while pitching three second-half shutouts against statistically strong offenses over the last three. USC, however, will be a different animal.
Last season, quarterback Jayden Maiava lit up an Irish defense that was among the nation’s best. He comes into the game full of confidence after leading the Trojans to a dominant 31-13 victory over Michigan. But while Maiava and his talented receiving corps pose a real threat, I don’t see USC slowing Notre Dame’s offense, which has beaten teams on the ground and through the air in 2025.
As of now, Saturday night is the last scheduled game between these two historic rivals, and it serves as an elimination game for the Irish. Marcus Freeman’s teams get up for these primetime games in Notre Dame Stadium. No. 5 Clemson in 2022 and No. 10 USC in 2023 come to mind. Everything is still in front of this team. A win over their toughest remaining opponent could put Notre Dame back in the national headlines. I believe they will get it.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 42, USC: 27
Chris Dailey
The Trojans are far and away the best team Notre Dame has left on their schedule. Jayden Maiava has a first-round draft grade written all over him. He’s got the highest QBR in the country and has tossed 13 touchdowns to only two interceptions. Maiava also is slinging for a nation-leading 10.83 yards per passing attempt.
As for Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, he’s third in that statistic. Carr’s learning curve to the starting gig has been more like a fast-lane. He also has something Maiava doesn’t: the best backfield in the country. Sure, USC’s walk-on King Miller lit it up against Michigan, but Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price will be two of the top three running backs off the board in April. Adding in a deep receiver room, the Irish offense is unreal. Starting center Ashton Craig’s injury hurts, but Notre Dame has a long-standing history of the next-man up mentality. As usual with Notre Dame, this one will be tight in the first half before Carr and company speed away.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 41, USC: 21
Ben Hicks
This notion that in mid-October, Southern Cal presents Notre Dame’s final opportunity to impress the College Football Playoff selection committee is pure pessimistic falsehood. Yes, the Trojans are good. And yes, they are certainly the biggest brand remaining on the Irish’s schedule. But Navy is also very likely going to enter South Bend unbeaten on Nov. 8, and a week later Pittsburgh should be 7-2 and toward the top of the ACC.
Now I also disagree with my fellow beat members who believe that Notre Dame will run away with this game. The Trojans offense absolutely shredded the Irish secondary a year ago. We were one underthrow away from overtime in the Coliseum to decide Notre Dame’s CFP fate. Lincoln Riley has a much more complete team this season, one which is a last-second field goal defeat shy of 6-0. With all the ammunition spewed from coaches, administrators and media from both sides, tension and motivation will certainly be high.
Chris Ash’s defense has silenced doubters, myself included, over the past few weeks, but USC quarterback Jayden Maiava moves the ball about as efficiently as anyone in the country. On the contrary, Notre Dame’s offense has sputtered in the red zone recently, and they can’t afford to settle for field goals against USC. We may not get “Bush Push II,” but I see this game coming down to the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. Advantage: Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 31, USC: 28
Henry Lytle
USC arguably boasts one of the best passing offenses in the country. Jayden Maiava has been a superstar in the first six games behind a great offensive line and a fantastic set of weapons at receiver. Notre Dame will have to play its best coverage game of the season against receiver Makai Lemon and company to win this one. They also need to avoid the fourth quarter coverage lapses that they had against Texas A&M in week 3 and Ohio State a season ago. Chris Ash’s defense must rise to the challenge by getting pressure on USC and forcing turnovers. They have done just that recently, forcing 11 takeaways in the last four games.
On the other side, the previously surging Irish offense has looked inconsistent in the red zone and is banged up with injuries. Despite this, I have faith in Mike Denbrock’s unit and the Irish receiving depth to be the difference in this game. Expect big plays from both offenses, plenty of scoring and a back and forth game at the start. I think the Irish pull away in the second half with some critical defensive stops and keep the foot on the gas in a season-defining game. I trust Marcus Freeman has helped this team improve significantly from the start of the season, and now they will have a chance to flex that against a top-five offense in the sport. I think Notre Dame earns a big ranked win to keep the playoff train rolling.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 38, USC: 28
Tyler Reidy
Early on this week, I was very confident in Notre Dame winning this one by at least multiple scores. Now, with the forecast worsening and the Irish losing a key piece up front in Gabriel Rubio, I’m envisioning a tighter game. Even though the Trojans are down two of their top three running backs, they still ran the ball at will with King Miller last week against Michigan. An effective USC run game come Saturday night would be a massive issue for Notre Dame.
That said, this game will be won at the line of scrimmage. Head coach Marcus Freeman and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa have echoed as much throughout the week. And with their dual-threat backfield, I believe the Irish will be more likely to sustain a run game if the elements demand it. I’m also not as high as most are on USC’s air attack. Jayden Maiava can sling it with the best of them, but if Leonard Moore can take away his star No. 1 target, Makai Lemon, I’m not sold on Ja’Kobi Lane picking up the slack. Give me the Irish by a touchdown.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 31, USC: 24
Claire Watson
USC is going to pose a threat to Notre Dame’s run to the College Football Playoff this coming Saturday. The Trojans come into this game 5-1 on the season and just last weekend blew Michigan out of the water with a 31-13 win. With a dual-threat quarterback, they are no doubt another strong opponent that Notre Dame is going to face, but that should not be a worry as the Notre Dame team prepares to host them.
Despite USC’s strong offense, Notre Dame comes into the game with an upcoming and strong defense, which over the past two weeks has proved its place on the field. They have begun to get pressure in the backfield and they have shown that they have no thoughts about slowing down going into this game. Additionally, sophomore quarterback CJ Carr continues to utilize his offensive weapons which helps pull apart opposing defenses.
Overall, as the Notre Dame offense and defense work together, they should have a shot to win the game.
Prediction: Notre Dame: 45, USC: 21
