Notre Dame football score predictions: Fighting Irish vs. USC national picks

Blue & Gold found straight-up game picks for No. 21 USC (5-1) at No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) from 19 different national media members. Seventeen of them are picking the Fighting Irish to hold serve at home and take care of the Trojans.

Here are all of the picks.

Josh Pate: Notre Dame to win, USC to cover

Pate: “Another possible one-possession loss that USC looks at and says, ‘Oh, we let another one get away.'”

Joel Klatt: Notre Dame to win, USC to cover

Klatt: “I just don’t think Notre Dame is going to be able to run away from USC’s offense. I think this offense is too good. No. 1 yards per play offense in college football. So while I like Notre Dame to win this game, I think it’s a high-scoring, one-score game, which has been commonplace for USC. I think Notre Dame wins this one, 37-30, which means I’m taking the nine and a half for USC in this ballgame.”

Greg McElroy: Notre Dame to win, USC to cover

McElroy: “I think this line is way too high, which means Notre Dame will probably cover, but I like SC a lot. I think they can score with ’em. I, however, think that Notre Dame’s resurgence defensively will force a mistake or two, which gives them the win.”

J.D. Pickell: USC 34, Notre Dame 31

Pickell: “I think both teams score, but I think that, ultimately, the Notre Dame youth and experience in this spot causes them to fall a little short at the crib. I’ll take USC outright.”

On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman

Staples: Notre Dame -8.5
Wasserman: USC +8.5

Pro Football Focus

Max Chadwick: Notre Dame 34, USC 31
“Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon give it their best efforts in a shootout, but Notre Dame’s balanced offense wins the game at home and keeps the Fighting Irish’s playoff hopes alive.”

Dalton Wasserman: Notre Dame 41, USC 34
“This game is fairly likely to be a shootout, but Notre Dame’s defense can be trusted a bit more than USC’s — and the Irish make enough stops to escape with a win.”

The Sporting News

Bill Bender: Fighting Irish 31, Trojans 30
“USC has not won in South Bend since 2011, and the last two matchups have been blowouts. So what’s different this time? Jayden Maiava has a 185.6 passer rating and is creeping into the Heisman Trophy conversation. The Trojans can run the ball, too, but the key will be avoiding turnovers against the Irish, which has a plus-8 advantage in turnover margin through a four-game winning streak. Notre Dame also has 13 rushing TDs in the last four weeks. The Trojans allowed just one rushing TD against Illinois and Michigan.”

The Sporting News

David Kenyon: Fighting Irish 36, Trojans 31
“On paper, this is a contest between two high-powered offenses. The main question is whether Notre Dame’s defense can continue its ascent from an ugly start to the campaign. I’ll lean yes—particularly at home—but Jayden Maiava-led USC is fully capable of springing the upset in South Bend.”

CBS Sports

Chris Hummer: Fighting Irish 31, Trojans 24
“The Irish have been a bit off the radar after their 0-2 start, but their defense is starting to round into form having allowed 27 total points over the last three games against Arkansas, Boise State and NC State. The Trojans are another high-flying passing attack and will test a secondary that’s had some up and down moments this year. The problem is, I’m just not sure how USC gets stops with any sort of consistency against the Irish. USC keeps it close for a while, but Notre Dame gets the win.”

Brad Crawford: Fighting Irish 31, Trojans 24
“USC bullied Michigan last week for a Lincoln Riley signature win and has a shot at further strengthening a potential playoff resume in South Bend during what should be one of Week 8’s best games. Since being quieted in the opener, Jeremiyah Love has scored at least one touchdown in every start since and has been a weapon in the receiving game out of the backfield. He’ll punctuate a late drive for the Fighting Irish to win this one, but the Trojans cover.”

USA Today

Matt Hayes: Irish
Jordan Mendoza: Trojans
Paul Meyerberg: Irish
Erick Smith: Irish
Eddie Timanus: Irish
Blake Toppmeyer: Irish

Athlon Sports

Steve Lassan: Irish
Thomas Neumann: Irish
Kyle Wood: Irish