USC vs. Notre Dame Prediction
Will No. 9 Notre Dame have any trouble disposing of a rival, USC, at home when the two meet up this evening at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
199 USC vs. 200 Notre Dame
Saturday, October 12, 2019
7:30PM ET – Notre Dame Stadium
TV: NBC
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Notre Dame is favored at home in this game, as the Fighting Irish are getting odds of -10.5 points against USC. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 59 points. The public betting currently has 59 percent going on Notre Dame as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Irish dominate at home
The Fighting Irish are coming off their most impressive performance of the year last weekend, a 52-0 win over Bowling Green. Notre Dame is 4-1 on the season, 4-1 against the spread and 3-2 with the under.
The Irish are pretty steady on both sides of the ball. The defense is giving up just 14.8 points and 332.4 yards per game while the offense is putting up 41 points and 450.2 yards per contest. Ian Book has been leading the team with 1,254 passing yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 139 yards and two scores. Chase Claypool is his leading receiver with 24 catches for 347 yards and four touchdowns, but Claypool is questionable to play on Saturday due to an ankle injury. Tony Jones Jr. is leading ND out of the backfield with 381 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Trojans fall short
USC is coming off a 28-14 loss at Washington two weeks ago. The Trojans have lost both of their road games this season. They are 2-3 on the year, 2-3 against the spread and 3-2 with the under.
The Trojans have struggled somewhat on defense this year, allowing 24.8 points and 411.6 yards per game. Offensively, USC is putting up 29.4 points and 429.4 yards per contest. USC has had injuries at the QB position all year. JT Daniels was already lost for the season with a knee injury and Kedon Slovis had been out due to a concussion. Matt Fink has filled in for Slovis and thrown for 514 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. Slovis is expected to return tonight. He has thrown for 732 yards and five touchdowns with four INT’s. Michael Pittman Jr. is the team’s leading receiver with 35 catches for 501 yards and four scores while Vavae Malepeai has 360 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Notre Dame
Notre Dame has covered the spread in five straight home games and in seven of their last nine against a winning team.
USC
The Trojans are just 1-9 against the spread in their last 10 non-conference games and 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 road games.
Prediction:
Notre Dame has won three of the last four in this series and the Irish have covered in three straight meetings in South Bend. The Fighting Irish are the better team for sure and they have the home-field advantage. USC has struggled on the road, losing to the likes of BYU and Washington. The offense has had trouble on the road moving against physical defenses and Notre Dame meets that bill. The Irish also haven arguably the top offense USC as seen yet this year. Don’t look for ND to play down to USC’s level in a night game at home.
College Football Week 7 Prediction: Notre Dame -10.5
Related: USC vs. Notre Dame Total Prediction