The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-3) visit the USC Trojans (10-1) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Notre Dame vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
USC is No. 5 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY sports, while Notre Dame is No. 15. The Trojans are No. 6 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
In what started off as a promising year under 1st-year coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame lost its first 2 games, falling to Ohio State and Marshall. Along with a season-ending injury to QB Tyler Buchner, the Irish were behind the 8-ball heading into the rest of their season. A 16-14 loss to visiting Stanford Oct. 15 ended any hope Notre Dame had to make a New Year’s 6 Bowl. Now, the Irish would like nothing better than to knock the Trojans out of playoff contention in this traditional rivalry in the final week of the regular season.
USC kept its playoff hopes alive with a 48-45 comeback win on the road as a 2-point favorite against then-No. 16 UCLA last weekend. The Trojans trailed 14-0 after 1 quarter and 24-20 early in the 3rd before mounting the comeback behind QB Caleb Williams (470 passing yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD) and a finally healthy WR Jordan Addison (11 catches, 178 yards, 1 TD). Williams and Addison should have a big night Saturday as Notre Dame doesn’t have the secondary to stop them.
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Notre Dame at USC odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday 2:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Notre Dame +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | USC -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Notre Dame +5 (-109) | USC -5 (-111)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -111 | U: -109)
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Notre Dame at USC picks and predictions
Prediction
USC 45, Notre Dame 29
Moneyline
PASS.
USC (-210) has all the motivation it should need in this game with a chance to make the College Football Playoffs. A loss would wipe out any hope of doing so.
USC will prevail, but the -210 price is too high. I could see adding it to a multi-team parlay, however.
Against the spread
BET USC -5 (-111).
USC has a dreadful defense. It was bad in 2021 and under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and it has not improved in 2022. But the offense is great and can put up points. It put up 48 against UCLA Saturday only a week after putting up 55 against Colorado. Notre Dame, with Drew Pyne at QB, does not have the horses to keep up.
The Irish scored a 44-0 shutout victory over visiting Boston College last Saturday, covering as 19.5-point favorites. But BC was missing its top 6 offensive linemen due to injury. USC is not Boston College and Notre Dame’s 5-game win streak stops Saturday in the Coliseum.
Over/Under
BET OVER 64.5 (-111).
It is simple. USC can score, but it also can’t stop other teams from scoring. This means a lot of points to be had in this matchup and 64.5 is just too low.
This number is likely to jump before game time. If it stays under 67.5, I like it. OVER 64.5 (-111) is my FAVORITE PLAY in this game.
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