More than just the Playoff at stake for Notre Dame against USC

There is a lot on the line from a recruiting standpoint for Notre Dame on Saturday.

Notre Dame renews the yearly rivalry Saturday night as they host the USC Trojans. USC has been up and down all year, but Notre Dame should expect their best. With one loss on the season, Notre Dame is already fighting an uphill battle to make the playoff. With the playoff in the back of everyone’s mind and the Trojans standing in the way, it is the main focus of everyone. But Notre Dame has more at stake.

Big Recruiting Weekend

While Notre Dame gets to play a long hated rival in prime time, more than just the fans will be taking in the game. Notre Dame will also host some much needed recruits Saturday night.

Will Shipley

Shipley is a five-star running back and the No. 21 overall player in the country according to 247 Sports. The 2021 back out of North Carolina has a long list of teams interested in landing him and Notre Dame will be no different. Lance Taylor has already played a key role with the commitment from five-star, Chris Tyree. Both Taylor and Chip Long have been making a major push as of late to land a commitment from Shipley. He has specifically mentioned how the atmosphere will mean a lot to him on Saturday.

Lorenzo Styles Jr.

Another big name in the 2021 class and a four-star on 247 Sports, Styles Jr. is currently ranked 102 in the country and could be another major piece for an offense still looking for elite playmakers. The talented receiver is currently projected to commit to Ohio State, but the Ohio product only has a 60-40 percent lean Ohio State to Notre Dame. Styles Jr. could be another major get for an offense that has commitments from Chris Tyree and Jordan Johnson.

Rocco Spindler

Another top 50 player in the 2021 class that could be an elite level offensive linemen during his college career, Spindler has a Michigan lean with Notre Dame and Ohio State in the mix. The four-star out of Michigan could be the next great Notre Dame offensive linemen if he decides to spend his college years in blue and gold. He has been compared to former Notre Dame great, Zack Martin.

Notre Dame Needs to show up

While I listed the three players above, the list of Notre Dame visitors is long and even features a few basketball prospects. If Notre Dame has ever needed to demolish a rival, it would be this weekend.

USC has arguably the best receivers the Fighting Irish will face this season and a competent running back. Letting them hang around and make a few plays early will be a momentum killer. While both USC quarterbacks Matt Fink and Kedon Slovis are incredibly average, they have playmakers around them to help whoever gets the start to shine.

Notre Dame needs to get after them early and extinguish the will to fight so this game becomes a blowout. USC is an average team littered with a little bit of top-level talent. Notre Dame had their bye week against Bowling Green and USC has to travel into what should be a cold and rowdy Notre Dame environment.

Both the short and long-term future hang in the balance against a hated rival. Making the playoff and impressing some coveted recruits all starts with the dismantling of the USC Trojans.