USC - Notre Dame: Who Wins?
- Liam Gaudet
- Oct 17
- 7 min read
It's rivalry weekend in South Bend, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The staff at The Irish Tribune are back to drop predictions heading into a game that has serious playoff implications on both sides. Let's get into it!
Photo via USC Athletics
Liam Gaudet - Senior Editor: 28-24 Notre Dame
Buckle those seatbelts, because this has the potential to be one of the greatest matchups in the history of this rivalry. With both teams vying for a playoff spot, and the future of this great rivalry in question, this almost feels like a "winner takes all" game given the circumstances.
Notre Dame finds themselves in a bit of a weird position ahead of Saturday's game. CJ Carr has come every bit as advertised for the Fighting Irish, and is currently changing the narrative surrounding ND quarterback play. Gone are the days of the game manager in South Bend, the Irish have a true gunslinger, which is usually the calling card of their opponent. Carr boasts an incredible efficiency rating, and runs one of the most prolific offenses in the sport. Pair that with a tandem of backs that include Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and I don't see too many defenses capable of slowing this group down. But with rain in the forecast, we could definitely see a lower point total in this game. Still, expect to see another solid outing, but with a greater emphasis on the run game for the Irish. USC will need to be stout up front to have a chance in this game, and the results hinge on whether they will be able to slow Price and Love down.
On the other side, USC once again returns one of the B1G's best duos in Makai Lemon and Jayden Maiava. Lemon gave Christian Gray all he could handle last year, so expect them to try and work a favorable matchup through the air. With Leonard Moore in the mix, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Irish try and neutralize the playmaking abilities of Lemon by shadowing him with the best DB in the country. Even if that is the case, USC proved they could win a game on the ground, as they did last week with King Miller who averaged nearly nine yards a carry against a stingy Michigan defense. With Gabriel Rubio ruled out for this game, USC might try and grind this thing out similar to last week. The Trojan's aren't just an air-raid squad, they'll take what they can get on the ground no problem, which means Notre Dame will need to play extremely well up front.
The defenses are also much improved on either side of this matchup. After some early struggles, Chris Ash has really picked things up after an incredibly sloppy start. The Irish have seven interceptions in their last two games, a testament to the talent and scheme this defense has put forth. USC also has proven athletes on the other side of the ball as well, namely Bishop Fitzgerald, who is the highest graded safety per Pro Football Focus this season. One mistake on offense could very well be the difference in this game.
I like the Irish to win a sloppy game, similar to Miami but with different results. It might be a game that sees a few drives before the offenses really open things up in the second half. Both teams will try and run the ball, with the trenches making the difference in this one - mainly the Irish offensive line, even without Ashton Craig.
Clayton Stohler - Podcast Host: 38-13 Notre Dame
This is the first time since 2017 that USC comes to town, and both teams still have playoff hopes on the line. Lincoln Riley and USC love to run 12 personnel, and that means Notre Dame has a third linebacker on the field - this bodes well for the Irish. Look for Auberry, Bowen, and KVA to have big days in coverage. In fact, I expect KVA to have a big day in general after he was unable to play in this game last season due to a leg injury.
While Ashton Craig is out, and USC will surely do what they have to do to stop the run, Love will hit his first big one of the year. USC's secondary struggles over time and the aerial attack takes over for the Irish- regardless of weather. And it's all on the backs of an offensive line that needs to have their best overall game of the season thus far.
KK Smith may just have a coming out party given the absence of Micah Gilbert. Malachi Fields will remind viewers of who he is. Pauling and Faison will be who they've been all season...really good.
Notre Dame Stadium is just different when USC comes to town. Especially at night. And if this is truly the last time they come to South Bend, this rivalry will go out in style.
Liam Farrell - Senior Sports Writer/Editor: 38-24 Notre Dame
The potential last game of the storied rivalry will look to be a shootout early on. Notre Dame and USC will both have tremendous success moving the ball through the air despite the wet and rainy conditions.
However, in the second half, Chris Ash and Notre Dame's defense, which has been stellar after halftime, will force Jayden Maiava into difficult situations. The talented USC quarterback will throw two second half interceptions and drown the Trojans upset bid.
With an injured center and USC's commitment to stopping the run, CJ Carr will put together a legacy-defining game. Fighting Irish wide receivers Malachi Fields and Jordan Faison will feast on one of the worst passing defenses in Power Four football and lead Notre Dame to victory.
Noah Wehby - Sports Writer: 34-31 Notre Dame
Notre Dame finally gets another chance to add a strong win to a resume that needs it.
In a game where it isn't hard to imagine both teams nearing the 40's, the wet conditions will somewhat dampen the scoring. Notre Dame will find success in the run game, using their tandem of elite running backs to hit on big plays and keep the offense on schedule.
Defensively, Notre Dame is going to have a tough time stopping this USC offense. The Irish have had problems guarding slot wide receivers, and now they will be going up against maybe the best in the entire country. The weather may prove to be a friend for the Irish, as USC is the team that really wants to air the ball out.
Overall, this is going to be a great back and forth game where both teams display their elite offenses. If this is the last game in the series, it will surely go out in style.
Max Uretsky - Sports Writer/Recruiting Analyst: 35-32 Notre Dame
I think the 2025 version of the Notre Dame - USC rivalry has the makings of a potential classic. Defenses for both teams will get their biggest tests of the year to this point so it will be about who can bow up in key moments.
Notre Dame's defense has come a long way since the week 2 debacle against Texas A&M, but for me, not all of the concerns in the secondary have been erased. USC's 1-2 punch at WR with Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane present legitimate match up issues, and Lemon in particular gave the Irish fits a season ago when these teams faced off. Christian Gray will be targeted as he was last year, and will need to perform much better for ND to have a chance.
The potential for some bad weather does make things interesting, but it may hurt the Irish as much as it would USC. CJ Carr is turning Into a budding star, and his ability to push the ball downfield has really allowed Notre Dame to be a potent and balanced offense. USC showed a week ago vs Michigan that they are much improved in the trenches, only allowing 3.5 yards a carry to one of the better rushing attacks in the country. If ND were forced to go more conservative, will they be able to get enough push against a stout USC front to let the likes of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price take over? They have been inconsistent at best thus far, allowing RBs to be hit in the backfield on too many occasions. For USC, their ground game has kept pace with what they do in the air, averaging almost 6.5 yards a carry. Gabe Rubio being out won't make things any easier for the Irish in the run defense department, and I expect to see a healthy mix of run blitzing from the LB group to prevent offensive linemen from getting up to the second level.
Notre Dame ultimately dominated their last two games vs Boise State and NC State respectively, but they were sleeping walking at times, shooting themselves in the foot via penalties, and getting off to very slow starts. Not coming out firing on all cylinders against USC would spell disaster as they are too talented for ND to overcome too many self inflicted wounds.
Marcus Freeman has a great opportunity to get ND squarely back in the playoff mix with a win Saturday, and I'm excited to see how it all plays out.
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