No. 5 Notre Dame (10-1) and USC (6-5) are set to renew the longtime rivalry Saturday in Southern California in the Week 13 regular-season finale. The Fighting Irish are fresh off a 49-14 rout of Army in the Shamrock Series at Yankee Stadium in New York. Meanwhile, USC is coming off a 19-13 win over cross-town rival UCLA. The Irish own a 49-37-5 all-time advantage over the Trojans, including a 48-20 victory at home last season. Kickoff for the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The game will air on CBS.
Notre Dame, winners of nine straight since a Week 2 loss to unranked Northern Illinois, are one win away from controlling their destiny with a berth in the College Football Playoff. With a victory on Saturday, Notre Dame will likely host a first-round playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium on Dec 20 or 21.
“They (USC) are a competitive, talented football team,” said Irish head coach Marcus Freeman at his weekly press conference. “It will truly be our biggest challenge to date for multiple reasons. For the reason of the noise and the things outside of this game that have nothing to do with this game. That’s going to be a challenge. And because of how good this team is in relation to its record. They have a 6-5 record but are 3-1 in their last four games. They have one loss at home and that was the overtime loss against Penn State. They have led in the fourth quarter of every game this year. It’s going to be a challenge versus a really good team. Our guys must and will understand the challenge ahead of us on Saturday.”
Storied Rivalry Not Airing in Prime Time
One of the biggest rivalries in college football, Notre Dame and USC, might not be the draw it has been in previous years. Notre Dame is having an excellent season at 10-1. But the disappointing Trojans have not generated as much success this season. The Trojans, playing as members of the Big Ten for the first time, bring a 6-5 record (all losses by one touchdown or less) into the storied rivalry game.
While the annual clash carries weight with both fanbases, it is being played outside prime time this year. Regardless of scheduling, the contest holds significant playoff implications for the Irish. Notre Dame must block out the noise and focus on proving that it belongs in the newly expanded 12-team playoff.
Irish Offense in Good Hands With Leonard, Love, and Company
Notre Dame’s rivalry with USC is one of the fiercest in college football. While Notre Dame has been on a rampage since losing to unranked NIU in Week 2, USC represents the most talented team the Irish have faced since that surprising home loss. Much of Notre Dame’s identity this season, however, has taken shape since the upset.
The growth and development of quarterback Riley Leonard have played a key role in the success of the Irish offense. Freeman took time during his presser to emphasize what he has witnessed in his dual-threat quarterback since the loss to NIU.
“He is a special person,” Freeman said of Leonard. “As a father, I would want someone to describe my children the way that I view Riley Leonard. As a football player, he has done nothing but continually grow and get better. We won Week 1 and probably masked some of the mistakes we made. So, you are on top of the world after Week 1 and at the lowest in Week 2. And you realize a lot about a person’s character when they are down. Riley is a competitor, a fighter. He didn’t feel bad or get down on himself. He wanted to work. That’s what I’ve learned about him.”
Through the air, Leonard has thrown for 1,937 yards. He has 14 touchdown passes and four interceptions. Running back Jeremiyah Love is Notre Dame’s leading rusher this season. Love has amassed 850 yards and 14 touchdowns and has scored a rushing touchdown in every game this season. Leonard has complemented the ground game, rushing for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns. Beaux Collins leads all Irish receivers with 427 yards and two touchdown receptions.
Irish’s Elite Defense A Strength All Season
Notre Dame’s elite defense is among the stingiest in the country, allowing an average of just 11.6 points per game, second in the nation. Notre Dame allows 273.1 yards per game, which makes them the fourth-best unit this year. The Irish have sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times this season and intercepted 15 passes. The Irish defense may be without the services of defensive lineman Howard Cross III for a second straight week as he heals from a sprained ankle.
Al Golden’s ball-hawking defense should be aggressive again on Saturday to pressure USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Since replacing Miller Moss, who was benched by head coach Lincoln Riley, Maiava has thrown for 546 yards in his two starts for the Trojans. The UNLV transfer has four touchdowns and one interception. Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks is USC’s leading rusher with 1,100 yards. He has scored nine touchdowns for the Trojans this year. USC’s leading receiver is Makai Lemon with 532 yards and three touchdown receptions.
Notre Dame Vs. USC: What to Expect
USC is finally bowl-eligible after securing back-to-back wins. Even though it has been a disappointing season for the Trojans, expect a strong performance at home from the host team. The Irish must travel across the country for this one, and the Trojans would like nothing better than to spoil their arch-rival’s postseason aspirations. The USC defense will have its hands full, though against an Irish offense replete with playmakers.
Notre Dame has enjoyed success on the ground this season thanks to Love, Leonard, and Jadarian Price. Expect another heavy dose of that three-headed monster out of the backfield against a USC defense that is vulnerable to the run. The Irish offense has been so productive rushing the ball in recent weeks that it has not had to rely on Leonard to make many pivotal throws. If Notre Dame can establish the run and continue to hum along, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock may test his passing game by seeking some big plays down the field. The Trojan pass defense is susceptible to big plays. It ranks 93rd in the country, allowing 235.6 passing yards per game.
Focus Required to Block Out the Noise
With all the talk about College Football Playoff seedings, there is plenty of “noise” around Saturday’s game. The Irish, however, have run the table on opponents since the loss to NIU in winning nine consecutive games. The only question that remains is, can Notre Dame retain that focus against USC to make it 10 straight? Freeman is not taking the Trojans lightly. And he will make sure the team is reminded of Notre Dame’s 38-27 defeat at the hand of the Trojans in 2022. If Freeman’s team can pull off one more victory, the next stop will be a College Football Playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium.
The post Notre Dame Seeks to Clinch Playoff Berth at USC appeared first on Last Word on College Football.