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Notre Dame Football: Writers picks vs. USC

By J.P. Scott

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish greets the fans during the player walk to the stadium before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 05: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish greets the fans during the player walk to the stadium before the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Here’s how some of our writers see the game between Notre Dame and USC shaking out tonight.

The annual Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is upon us. Notre Dame vs. USC under the light sin South bend tonight!

Here’s how our writers see the game playing out.

Carlee North

Notre Dame will have its work cut out for them in the secondary with what looks like the best group of wide receivers they will face in the regular season on Saturday night. The defense will most definitely miss Shaun Crawford because of it.

I would expect both of USCs quarterback to play in this game, so they must be prepared for both on defense. The Irish offense will need to have a complete game, because I see this being a back and forth game early.

At the end of the night, when it looks like it’ll be around 40 degrees and with home field advantage on the side of the good guys, I think the Irish will finally say enough is enough of the Trojans and put this game away late. Defense in the red zone will once again be the biggest key to a victory. Offense will look to impose their will in the run game late. Notre Dame wins 31-20 as they head into the bye week with another big rivalry game on the horizon in the Big House.

Jack Leniart

The Trojans may not seem all that intimidating with a record of 3-2, but you better believe they have enough talent on their team to beat Notre Dame this weekend. I do not think that is going to happen, but I do like their odds to cover the 10.5-point spread. Rivalry games in prime time tend to be close contests more often than not. I think Notre Dame’s defense will come up with a big play late in the fourth quarter to seal a victory for the Irish. Notre Dame 31, USC 23.

Mason Plummer

USC keeps it close and may even lead at one point in the first half, but the better team prevails in this one. Notre Dame is better coached and overall is a much better team than USC and it will show. The talented USC trio of WR will ‘get theirs’ but ultimately the Notre Dame D-line causes multiple turnovers and gives the Irish a comfortable victory, 42-20.

Nathan Erbach

It’s rivalry week, and just like most Notre Dame/USC matchups, I expect this to be a relatively close game throughout. In the end, however, the Irish are just too good and better coached to lose at home to a rebuilding USC program with a true freshman QB at the helm. The experience and home cooking for ND keep this game around the betting line in an impressive victory. Notre Dame 32-21.

Next. Notre Dame-USC Game Day Primer. dark

J.P. Scott

I think we’ve already seen USC’s best effort a couple of weeks ago against an overrated Utah team. I like Notre Dame’s offense to confuse the Trojans with multiple sets and some diverse play call from one series to the next. When USC has the ball, I have a tough time seeing them consistently moving it between the 20s. I think the Irish are better than they get credit for, and USC is still a little overrated. This one won’t be close. Notre Dame 38-13.

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