The No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2) are about to face off against the No. 20 USC Trojans (5-1) this Saturday in a classic rivalry. After starting the season with two defeats, the Irish have bounced back with four consecutive victories, including a decisive 36-7 win over N.C. State recently. In contrast, USC’s only setback was a road loss to Illinois on September 27, and they demonstrated strength in their last matchup, trouncing Michigan 31-13 on October 11.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. The Irish enter as 10.5-point favorites, with the over/under for the game at 59.5. For insights and predictions from college football expert Jimmie Kaylor, check out SportsLine.

Why USC Can Cover

Currently under the helm of head coach Lincoln Riley, USC aims to assert its dominance in the Big Ten, averaging an impressive 45.5 points per game while allowing merely 21.3. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has proven to be a key player, boasting a completion rate of 71.9% with 13 touchdowns.

Why Notre Dame Can Cover

The Fighting Irish’s game plan heavily relies on their running attack, led by freshman quarterback C.J. Carr and running back Jeremiyah Love, who has emerged as a vital playmaker. Notre Dame’s defense has also shown remarkable resilience, conceding just 27 points across their last three outings.

With expert insights and detailed analysis, bettors can make informed decisions ahead of this thrilling matchup. Tune into SportsLine for Kaylor’s final predictions.