Notre Dame Football: Three Bold Predictions vs. USC

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish eludes a tackle by Isaiah Langley #24 of the USC Trojans during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish eludes a tackle by Isaiah Langley #24 of the USC Trojans during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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It’s one of the most anticipated games of the season and it’s finally here. USC vs. Notre Dame under the lights in South Bend.

It’s one that you can throw out the records. It never really matters how much success or failure either team has had, a season can be made or broken depending on the result of Notre Dame vs. USC.

Right now that’s practically where these two stand. It’s apparent that Notre Dame has their sights on finishing 11-1, while being favored in each of their remaining games this season and making a run to the College Football Playoff.

One loss derails those plans. For USC, they already have faced enough to throw away a season. After losing their starting quarterback in week one, the Trojans sit at 3-2 with an impressive win over Utah and a head-scratching loss vs. BYU.

The Pac-12 remains a mess, leaving the door open for many of its teams to win the conference, but possibly playing themselves right out of the playoff.

USC has found themselves in the Top 25 twice this season, but the most they have to play for is a decent bowl game. A win over Notre Dame would make for the most memorable moment of their season.

With that being said, most of the USC coaching staff are in a position of coaching for their jobs. The Irish have their sights on a long-term goal, while USC’s life or death moment is looking them right in the face.

No one would be surprised if the Trojans looked to come out and try to hit the Irish right in the mouth. Notre Dame has struggled with some slow starts this season. If USC were able to get the upper hand early in this one, would they be able to hold on vs. one of the most complete Notre Dame teams in the Brian Kelly era?

It’s all up in the air until Saturday night. All we can do is prepare with this week’s three bold predictions for USC at Notre Dame.