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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-2) host the USC Trojans (6-0) on Saturday at 7:30 PM ET, in a battle featuring two of the best offensive performers in college football in Audric Estime and Caleb Williams.
The Trojans are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+2.5), versus the Fighting Irish (with an over/under of 60.5 points).
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Game Info for Notre Dame vs. USC
- Game Day: Saturday, October 14, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: NBC
- Location: South Bend, Indiana
- Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | -2.5 | -111 | -109 | 60.5 | -110 | -110 | -130 | +109 |
Notre Dame Pick Insights
- Notre Dame has a 4-2-1 record against the spread this season.
- In games it has played as at least 2.5-point favorites this season, Notre Dame is 4-2 against the spread.
- Notre Dame games have gone over the point total on three of seven occasions (42.9%).
Notre Dame Stats & Insights
- Notre Dame ranks 34th in total offense this year (437.9 yards per game), but has been shining on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 12th-best in the FBS with 437.9 yards allowed per game.
- Defensively, Notre Dame has been a top-25 unit, ranking 15th-best by surrendering only 15.9 points per game. The offense ranks 35th (34.1 points per game).
- Notre Dame owns the 41st-ranked offense this year in terms of passing yards (266.9 passing yards per game), and has been better on the other side of the ball, ranking third-best with just 146.6 passing yards allowed per game.
- Notre Dame is putting up 171 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 54th in the FBS. The team’s defensive unit ranks 59th, surrendering 132.9 rushing yards per game.
- Offensively, Notre Dame ranks 48th in the FBS with a 42.7% third-down percentage. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 61st in third-down conversion rate allowed (132.9).
- With eight forced turnovers (58th in the FBS) against seven turnovers committed (49th in the FBS), Notre Dame (+1) has the 52nd-ranked turnover margin in college football.
Notre Dame’s Best Players
- Sam Hartman has thrown for 1,712 yards (244.6 ypg) to lead Notre Dame, completing 64.5% of his passes and recording 16 touchdown passes compared to three interceptions this season.
- Estime has carried the ball 105 times for a team-high 692 yards on the ground and has found the end zone seven times.
- Jeremiyah Love has been handed the ball 36 times this year and racked up 257 yards (36.7 per game) with one touchdown.
- Mitchell Evans has hauled in 22 catches for 343 yards (49 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone one time as a receiver.
- Chris Tyree has caught 14 passes for 293 yards (41.9 yards per game) and two touchdowns this year.
- Jayden Thomas has hauled in 15 receptions for 228 yards, an average of 32.6 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
- Jordan Botelho paces the team with two sacks, and also has two TFL and 18 tackles.
- Howard Cross III is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s racked up 40 tackles, two TFL, and one sack.
- Xavier Watts leads the team with two interceptions, while also putting up 28 tackles, one TFL, and three passes defended.
USC Betting Insights
- USC has covered the spread twice in six opportunities this season.
- The teams have hit the over in five of USC’s six games with a set total.
USC Pick Insights
- Defensively, USC is bottom-25, allowing 421.3 total yards per game (22nd-worst). On the bright side, it is dominating on the other side of the ball, accumulating 523.3 total yards per contest (fourth-best).
- USC’s offense has been thriving, racking up 51.8 points per game (best) this season. On defense, it ranks 79th by surrendering 27 points per game.
- USC ranks 19th-worst in passing yards allowed per game (264.3), but at least it has been surging on the offensive side of the ball, ranking third-best in passing yards per game (355.2).
- With 168.2 rushing yards per game on offense, USC ranks 55th in the FBS. Defensively it ranks 91st, allowing 157 rushing yards per game.
- From an offensive standpoint, USC is putting up a 42.9% third-down conversion percentage (45th-ranked). It ranks 73rd in the FBS on defense (38.9% third-down rate allowed).
- USC has thrived in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +4 ranks 18th-best in the FBS, with eight forced turnovers (58th in the nation) and four turnovers committed (10th in the nation).
USC’s Best Players
- Williams has compiled 1,822 yards (303.7 ypg) while completing 71.3% of his passes and tossing 22 touchdown passes with one interception this season. He’s also run for 124 yards with six touchdowns.
- MarShawn Lloyd has rushed for 519 yards on 67 carries so far this year while scoring four times on the ground.
- Austin Jones has run for 163 yards across 25 carries, scoring four touchdowns.
- Tahj Washington has racked up 456 receiving yards on 21 catches to pace his team so far this season while scoring five touchdowns as a receiver.
- Brenden Rice has caught 21 passes and compiled 434 receiving yards (72.3 per game) with seven touchdowns.
- Mario Williams’ 26 targets have resulted in 17 catches for 206 yards and one touchdown.
- Jamil Muhammad paces the team with six sacks, and also has seven TFL and 16 tackles.
- USC’s top-tackler, Jaylin Smith, has 35 tackles and four TFL this year.
- Jacobe Covington has picked off a team-high one pass. He also has six tackles and one pass defended to his name.
