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Notre Dame Football: Three Bold Predictions vs. USC

By Chase Eyrich

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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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tanner Cowley #44 of the Virginia Cavaliers is tripped up by Troy Pride Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 28: Tanner Cowley #44 of the Virginia Cavaliers is tripped up by Troy Pride Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame forces three or more turnovers

Out of all the things Notre Dame has been able to hang their hats on so far this season, their consistence on the turnover margin has to be at the top of the list.

The Irish have one of the best turnover margins in the country. Finding ways to force some of the most turnovers in the nation while only committing four of their own throughout the first five games has been instrumental to their success.

Coming into the season, the expectations were that Notre Dame’s defense would be comparable to the 2012 team. For the most part, they have lived up to those expectations.

Injuries have hit the secondary, but haven’t really slowed down their success. The Irish have six interceptions this season, with three of them coming in the last two games.

That impact is coming from players that no one ever expected to contribute a whole lot.

The biggest factor has been Kyle Hamilton. The freshman safety made his impact known in his first play at Notre Dame Stadium with a pick-six. His second interception of the season came vs. Virginia in Notre Dame’s 35-20 victory.

He’s become a big reason why Notre Dame has acquired 14 turnovers through only five games. This becomes a number that should grow this weekend.

USC has been extremely turnover prone. The Trojans can’t seem to find consistency anywhere and it’s resulted in 13 turnovers this season. The main reason for this has been quarterback play.

Of course, the Trojans took a huge hit when JT Daniels went down with a torn ACL. His replacements have had some issues hitting their targets. Matt Fink has been the one the Trojans have been forced to lean, on recently but he’s already thrown four interceptions in just two games.

The Trojans are hopeful that Kedon Slovis will be able to make a return after being sidelined with a concussion. He has been the more impressive of the two. The QB has stepped in and completed 78 percent of his throws.

Slovis has thrown for five touchdowns this season, including three vs. Stanford — where he threw for 377 yards. But he too has dealt with inconsistency, throwing four interceptions of his own.

Next. Notre Dame: Kyle Hamilton was Defensive Player of Game vs. Bowling Green. dark

Despite who is under center for USC, turnovers should be one of the biggest storylines of the game Saturday night.

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