The No. 13 University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3, 3-1 Away) and No. 5 University of Southern California Trojans (10-1, 6-0 Home) face off Saturday at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for their regular season finales. The Trojans are 5.5-point favorites, and the total is 64.5.
Notre Dame is coming off a dominant 44-0 win over Boston College at Notre Dame Stadium last Saturday, their fifth consecutive victory. Drew Pyne was 13 of 25 for 156 yards and a touchdown. Logan Diggs ran 15 times for 122 yards and a touchdown. Michael Mayer caught five passes for 64 yards.
USC won for the fourth straight game last Saturday, beating No. 16 UCLA 48-45 at Rose Bowl. Caleb Williams threw for 470 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Austin Jones carried 21 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns and added four catches for 57 yards. Jordan Addison added a touchdown of his own. He hauled in 11 receptions for 178 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Fighting Irish won the only game between the teams last season, a 31-16 victory in October. Kyren Williams had two touchdowns for Notre Dame.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Fighting Irish are averaging 31.0 points per game for the season, 49th in FBS, and they are facing a Trojans defense that has surrendered 26.3 PPG (66th). Meanwhile, USC has scored 42.9 points a game this season, third in the nation, and Notre Dame is allowing 20.3 PPG (27th).
The Fighting Irish rank as one of the country’s worst teams in passing yards per game (189.2, 113th), while they are 36th in rushing yards (191.2). The Trojans are 106th in passing yards allowed per game (257.8) and 66th against the run (147.2).
USC has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 330.8 passing yards per game (4th), while ranking 47th in rushing yards (182.2). Notre Dame’s defense has been equally impressive through the air, as the Fighting Irish are 16th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (186.8). Against the run, the Fighting Irish are 37th (130.0).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Drew Pyne has thrown for 19 touchdowns (5 INT) and 170.3 yards per game to lead Notre Dame in passing. In three away games this season, he has eight TDs (2 INT) and an average of 224.7 yards passing.
Audric Estime leads the team in rushing with an average of 71.1 yards a game over 11 games. He has 11 touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Michael Mayer is the Fighting Irish’s leading receiver with 64.6 yards a game and seven TDs.
Caleb Williams has 33 passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 316.4 yards per game through 11 games to lead USC. In six home games this season, he has thrown for 16 TDs (2 INT) and an average of 282.8 yards.
Travis Dye has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 88.4 yards a game through 10 games. He has nine touchdowns. Jordan Addison has been a key target in the Trojans’ aerial attack. He has eight touchdowns and an 85.0 yard per game average through nine appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Notre Dame is looking for a fourth successive road win this season. USC is unbeaten at home this season in six games.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Notre Dame (+165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
