First look: USC at Notre Dame odds and lines

Previewing the USC at Notre Dame Week 8 matchup, with college football odds, trends and head-to-head records.

The USC Trojans (3-3) visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1) Saturday in South Bend, Ind. The game at Notre Dame Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the USC vs. Notre Dame odds and lines; check back for our college football picks and predictions.

USC comes in off a bye week. The Trojans have struggled on defense over the season’s first half. Southern Cal has coughed up 40-plus points in each of its three losses. Overall, USC ranks an average-sounding 69th in FBS in total defense (382.2 yards per game). But two of the team’s three victories have come against foes (Colorado, San Jose State) that rank among the bottom-15 offensive teams.

The Fighting Irish bounced back with an Oct. 9 win over Virginia Tech after falling to the Cincinnati Bearcats Oct. 2. Notre Dame has inexplicably averaged just 2.8 yards per carry in the ground game. Its 96.2 rushing yards per game rank 96th in the nation. But being in South Bend ought to help: UND had won 26 straight at Notre Dame Stadium until the 24-13 setback to UC.

USC at Notre Dame odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 4:35 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: USC +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Notre Dame -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): USC +6.5, -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Notre Dame -6.5, -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 58.5, O: -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | U: -117 (bet $117 to win $100)

Also see: Betting 101

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2021 betting stats:

  • ML: USC 3-3 | Notre Dame 5-1
  • ATS: USC 3-3 | Notre Dame 3-3
  • O/U: USC 4-2 | Notre Dame 4-2

USC at Notre Dame head-to-head

Notre Dame is 47-36-5 in this series that dates back to 1926. The Irish have won three straight in the series.

The last two games (2018, 2019) were decided by one-score margins. The 2020 game was a casualty of COVID-19 protocols.

The home side has beaten the spread in six of the last seven meetings.

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