A historic rivalry will be renewed on Saturday, as Notre Dame will host USC in South Bend. Both programs desperately need the win, adding another entry into one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football.
Ahead of the showdown, Pete Thamel and Rece Davis of the College GameDay Podcast have locked in their predictions. Both believe the Irish will protect their home turf against the Trojans.
“I like Notre Dame in this game,” Thamel stated. “I want to give Lincoln Riley and USC a lot of credit for the Michigan win. That was as big of a win as USC has had probably since the LSU game to start last season.
“Since they have entered the Big Ten, they have not been able to slug with Big Ten opponents. I think back to the Minnesota game on the road last year, the Maryland game on the road last year. I just wonder if the totality of the DNA of toughness in USC is going to be ready for Notre Dame, for South Bend, for the environment, for the stakes.
“They’ve had issues at running back. So, I will take the Irish in this game. But I do think it will be close and we could see a classic.”
In response, Davis echoed a similar sentiment. He decided to highlight turnovers as the potential difference-maker between the two rivals, as it’s been an aspect working in Notre Dame’s favor over the past couple of meetings between the programs.
“I think it’s going to be a great game too. I’m going to take Notre Dame,” Davis added. “… I think Notre Dame is right there. They’re right there. I think USC is really good. And a big, big thing in this game is going to be turnovers. … In the Riley–Freeman era, Notre Dame does have an edge in turnover margin, but where it’s really been amplified is the last two meetings. The Irish lead the turnover margin seven to two. That’s bad.
“This is worse. They’ve outscored USC 42 to seven in points off turnovers. They have two pick-sixes and a fumble return for a touchdown in the last couple of games. It is 20 years since the Bush Push and USC will need something similar to pull this game out. I do think it’ll be wild. I think it’ll be close.
“If I were a man who played games of chance, I would be very hesitant to lay the number of points that they are putting out there right now. It looks like rain. The temperature is not going to be bad, but it looks like it will rain on Saturday night. I’m going to go with the Irish and say they get a close wild win.”
There’s more than meets the eye in this contest. Davis continued to emphasize the broader stakes for Notre Dame, calling it a must-win for Marcus Freeman’s program and their College Football Playoff dreams.
“Let’s be honest, this is an elimination game for Notre Dame,” Davis said. “If Notre Dame loses this game, no matter what I think about the way they played against Miami, the way they played against A&M, the way they play against SC, they have to win now.
“At some point, you’ve got to win some of them. And Notre Dame doesn’t have a lot of opportunities left on its schedule against high-level opponents. So this is a must-win for Notre Dame. And I say they come through and get it done.”
Alas, both analysts are siding with the Irish, and all eyes will be on South Bend Saturday night to see if Notre Dame can keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. USC will be looking to play spoiler under the lights and keep their own dreams afloat in this doozy of a matchup. We’ll see who gets it done.
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