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TV info, kickoff details: How to watch Notre Dame football vs. USC Trojans

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble10/16/25jacksoble56
christian gray
Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray. (Chad Weaver, Blue & Gold)

No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) faces the toughest test of its 10-week odyssey of must-win games on Saturday night. The Irish will take on No. 20 USC (5-1), who features one of the most prolific offenses in the country.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including how to watch.

Notre Dame vs. USC game information

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET

Date: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

Site: Notre Dame Stadium 

Betting line: Notre Dame -9.5 (BetMGM)

Television channel: NBC

Announcers: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter)

Pregame radio: Listen to Blue & Gold’s own Tyler Horka and Eric Hansen on 96.1 FM WSBT from 3 to 6:30 p.m. ET on Game Day Sportsbeat

Radio: Notre Dame Radio Network football affiliates

Radio broadcasters: Tony Simeone (play-by-play), Ryan Harris (color analyst)

Series Facts: Notre Dame leads 52-38-5. The Irish have won six of the past seven matchups, including a 49-35 win on Nov. 30, 2024, in Los Angeles that clinched Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff berth. The Trojans have not won in South Bend since Oct. 22, 2011. Notre Dame and Southern Cal’s current contract ends after the 2025 season and the two sides have not agreed on an extension. 

Head coaches: USC — Lincoln Riley (31-15, 4th season); Notre Dame — Marcus Freeman (37-12, 4th season).

2025 team records: Notre Dame: 4-2 (L, 27-24 at Miami; L, 41-40 vs. Texas A&M; W, 56-30 vs. Purdue; W, 56-13 at Arkansas; W, 28-7 vs. Boise State; W, 36-7 vs. NC State); USC: 5-1 (W, 73-13 vs. Missouri State; W, 59-20 vs. Georgia Southern; W, 33-17 vs. Purdue; W, 45-31 vs. Michigan State; L, 34-32 at Illinois; W, 31-13 vs. Michigan).

Noting Notre Dame: The Irish are rolling, winning four-straight games by an average of just under 30 points. Most significantly, though, their defense is much improved from where it began the season. The Irish have allowed 9 points per game in wins over Arkansas, Boise State and NC State, including just 14 total points in their last 10 quarters. First-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash has seemingly figured out his unit, which now looks a lot like it did under former defensive coordinator Al Golden. Offensively, redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr ranks third nationally in yards per passing attempt with 10.3, while junior running back Jeremiyah Love and redshirt junior running back Jadarian Price rank second and T-sixth with 11 and 9 total touchdowns, respectively.

Noting USC: No quarterback in college football has been more efficient than USC redshirt junior Jayden Maiava (10.8 yards per attempt), thanks in large part to star junior wide receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon leads the Power Four with 682 receiving yards, and he’s not bum-slaying, either. He caught 20 passes for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns across games against Illinois and Michigan, two Big Ten teams who were ranked at the time. The Trojans are also well-rounded offensively with the fourth-most-efficient rushing offense in the country (6.38 yards per carry). But as with any Lincoln Riley team, questions about USC’s defense remain.