Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: 4 Toughest games for 2017 season

By Chase Eyrich

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and his team wait to head on to the field for the start of the game against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium on October 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and his team wait to head on to the field for the start of the game against the Syracuse Orange at MetLife Stadium on October 1, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold /

USC

Even with USC seeming like the most difficult team on Notre Dame’s schedule, they land in second on this list for situational reasons.

The Trojans will be a highly talented and well put together team, but they will have to face the Irish in South Bend which in its self is a daunting task. As mentioned earlier, Notre Dame will be coming fresh off of a bye week making it even more of an intriguing matchup.

USC brought a defense worth being more than concerned about last season and lost some key starters such as defensive lineman Stevie Tu’ikolovatu, linebacker Michael Hutchings, and safety Leon McQuay III.

That doesn’t mean it will be a breeze for the Irish offense. The Trojans will bring back the top two returning Pac-12 edge defenders with Porter Gustin and Uchenna Nwosu. This defense could be the monster that a loaded Irish offense isn’t quite ready for.

Home/Notre Dame Football