Staff predictions for Notre Dame game

The USC Trojans enter Week 8 with a 5-1 record and a primetime showdown against longtime rival Notre Dame on deck. This year’s edition of the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh carries national implications, featuring a top-20 clash between No. 20 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish sit at 4-2, with their only losses coming against Miami and Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Trojans are riding high after last week’s impressive victory over a top-15 Michigan squad and will look to keep that momentum rolling as they aim to strengthen their College Football Playoff résumé heading into the second half of the season.

Nicholas Burmood, contributor

There’s plenty to be encouraged about with this USC team following its dominant performance against Michigan. However, the upcoming matchup with Notre Dame presents an entirely different challenge. If the Trojans hope to leave South Bend victorious, they’ll need to win the battle in the trenches and deliver a complete team effort.

With both Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders sidelined, USC will need to exceed expectations in the running game. King Miller stepped up in a big way against Michigan, earning multiple weekly honors for his breakout performance. But Notre Dame will be well-prepared for him this time and there won’t be any surprises.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava showed flashes of brilliance in last year’s meeting with the Irish before turnovers turned the tide late. He’s taken major strides since then, and expectations are high for another strong showing.

Defensively, USC should match up well against Notre Dame’s run-heavy approach, which could help shield the secondary from being overly tested. Still, the Irish possess a more balanced passing attack than Michigan, meaning the Trojans can’t afford any lapses in coverage.

As with any rivalry game, all bets are off. Emotions will be high, and this one has all the makings of an instant classic.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31 USC 30

Gabriel Esparza, editor

USC needs to show that they are indeed a program that is truly on the rise. Facing Notre Dame gives the Trojans an opportunity to prove to those doubting the team that they are indeed a modern force to be reckoned with again.

As long as USC is able to stick with its game plan and can help Jayden Maiava out by not asking him to win the game solely from the pocket, then the Trojans should be in a good position down the stretch to get the job done.

This is still a good Notre Dame team, although the Fighting Irish are not as strong as they were during their runner-up season from a year ago.

There will be an extra emphasis throughout the building to show up and establish some dominance against the historic rivals, particularly with many of the narratives surrounding the future of this series in question.

USC finds a way and emerges victorious.