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This Saturday will be the 95th edition of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry and could prove to be a season-deciding game for both of them.
Notre Dame are hosting and are 5-2 on the season after losing two of their last three games to Ohio State and Louisville. Their College Football Playoff hopes are dead, but they can still have an impact on the New Year’s Six games if they win out.
USC have not lost a regular season game since last October against Utah and boast the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams. The Trojans’ defense has been suspect though, so if they want to stay undefeated, the defense will need to stop waiting for Williams to bail them out when they give up a lead.
ESPN’s computer model has released its prediction for the game.
ESPN’s computer model believes that Notre has this game on lock. The computer model gives the Fighting Irish a 61.8-percent chance to win this Saturday’s game.
Game Week
The Jeweled Shillelagh Rivalry presented by @DIRECTV
🆚 USC
📆 Saturday, Oct. 14
🕝 7:30 pm ET
📺 NBC #GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/KBzmniQaUa— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) October 9, 2023
A loss for USC could wind up knocking them out of the College Football Playoff altogether based on how many good teams there are right now. The fact that they’re only ranked No. 10 despite being 6-0 should say something.
As for Notre Dame, this game is all about returning to respectability.
The game will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on NBC.