This might be a make-or-break game for Marcus Freeman, whose defense will be going up against the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and expected No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick in Caleb Williams. While USC has been explosive offensively, it has been inconsistent. Neither the weather nor the matchup are to the Trojans' benefit, while Notre Dame presents a test USC has not yet seen this season. The Trojans have a ridiculous tough second half and look like a multiple-loss team. The first comes in South Bend, Indiana.

Notre Dame's defense nearly sparked an upset of Ohio State and the Irish will need a repeat effort to stay competitive against USC. On offense, it should use bruising RB Audric Estime to move the chains and shorten the game. USC's prolific offense has resulted in its defense being on the field more than the Trojans would prefer. Time of possession should even out in this one. Take the Under.

We’ll see what Notre Dame has left in its tank after a grueling stretch culminated in the listless effort at the ‘Ville. Suddenly, the ground game has gone AWOL and Sam Hartman’s Heisman campaign has disappeared quicker than the Miami Marlins exited last week’s NL playoffs. But the rub this week is the Trojan defense as coordinated, apparently, by El Cordobes, as SC continues to perfect matador tactics on the stop end. If DC Alex Grinch is preaching arm tackles, he’s succeeding, as Trojan defenders instead seem more interested in preening and celebrating after every tackle and sack, as if preparing for Harvey Levin and the next TMZ interview.

We’ll see what Notre Dame has left in its tank after a grueling stretch culminated in the listless effort at the ‘Ville. Suddenly, the ground game has gone AWOL and Sam Hartman’s Heisman campaign has disappeared quicker than the Miami Marlins exited last week’s NL playoffs. But the rub this week is the Trojan defense as coordinated, apparently, by El Cordobes, as SC continues to perfect matador tactics on the stop end. If DC Alex Grinch is preaching arm tackles, he’s succeeding, as Trojan defenders instead seem more interested in preening and celebrating after every tackle and sack, as if preparing for Harvey Levin and the next TMZ interview. SC on 13-1 over run.

USC has won six of its games but only covered the big numbers in two of those games. The last three weeks, three of the bottom teams in the Pac-12 – ASU, Colorado, and Arizona - made the USC defense look bad. USC was -21+ in those three games. The No. 1 scoring offense but just average on defense allowing 27 ppg. Only 22 teams in college football allow more yards on defense than USC (421 ypg). I’m on Notre Dame’s defense to give USC some trouble. QB Sam Hartman bounces back. Notre Dame to cover.

I'm going against my better judgment here, but I'm also confident enough in this pick to put it on the site. I think the final play against Ohio State might have ruined the Irish, who have been lousy at best since. USC is VERY lucky to still be undefeated after my alma mater, Arizona, took them to 3 overtimes last weekend. But USC still has the best player in college football and I don't see how Notre Dame will slow down Caleb Williams. He will extend his streak of accounting for four or more touchdowns to eight straight games. USC 34, Notre Dame 31.

This point total suggests that Notre Dame will be forced into a track meet with Trojan quarterback Caleb Williams, and I don’t see this one going down that way. Notre Dame’s offense can’t keep up with USC, so it’ll slow things down, bleed the play clock and successfully keep Williams on the sideline. Can they do it? Yes, of course. USC’s defense is a train wreck, so long, drawn-out drives should come easy.