The Notre Dame Fighting Irish welcome the University of Southern California Trojans in one of the most highly anticipated college football tilts on the Week 7 slate. Notre Dame has been one of the best NCAAF bets in the league this season, heading into the game a red-hot 5-1 ATS including a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS record in front of their hometown fans.
USC has dominated headlines for all the wrong reasons recently thanks to its embattled former head coach, Steve Sarkisan. Sarkisan, who was initially given a leave of absence after last weekend due to issues with alcohol, has since been relieved of his duties. The Trojans will turn to Clay Helton as the team's interim coach. Who's the betting favorite to replace Sarkisan? Click here to find out.
Notre Dame has averaged 239 rushing yards per game this year, good enough for the 13th-best mark in the nation. USC is lagging behind at 178 yards on the ground per contest this year.
UNDER bettors have loved seeing the Trojans leave California in recent weeks. The UNDER has paid out in five-straight games when USC has hit the road.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pegged as -3-point favorites in this matchup. As of Friday afternoon, the line has moved several points with Notre Dame now at -7 and the total at 61.
Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at Odds Shark pick a 27-23 result in favor of the Fighting Irish. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Southern Cal Trojans vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Southern Cal Trojans will try to spoil to the party on Saturday; they are 3-2 ATS against the spread this season, while the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 5-1 ATS. Southern Cal is 2-3 on the over under betting totals; Notre Dame is 3-3. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Notre Dame vs Southern Cal injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 33 and the Southern Cal Trojans at No. 6 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Notre Dame's No. 19-ranked offense, averaging 37.83 PPG, against a Southern Cal defense that ranks No. 22 this week at 17.4 PPG. The Notre Dame aerial game is averaging 264.67 yards per game, more than the Southern Cal Trojans secondary allows through the air, 229.6 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Southern Cal Trojans feature the league's No. 67-rated road run defense, allowing 182 yards per game. Notre Dame, meanwhile, ranks No. 17 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, Southern Cal got a 120-yard performance from Tre Madden, but Washington prevailed 17-12.
Last time we saw the Midshipmen, they had no answer for Keenan Reynolds as the Fighting Irish rolled to a 41-24 victory at Notre Dame Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
Southern Cal home to Utah, Saturday, October 24th
Notre Dame at Temple, Saturday, October 31st