For the second time in three years USC heads into its game with Notre Dame led by an interim head coach. Clay Helton takes over for the fired Steve Sarkisian as the Trojans enter yet another chaotic period. While the headlines have surrounded the USC program, the Irish continue to be in the mix for the College Football Playoff thanks to a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS home record.
ODDS
Notre Dame opened as a 4-point favorite with the total at 61. The Irish received plenty of play following news of SC’s coaching change, pushing the line to -6.5. USC is an underdog for the first time this season looking to improve on its 3-2 ATS record. Under bettors love seeing the Trojans hit the road. USC has played below the total in each of its last five away games.
KEY MISMATCH
The Trojans have the better quarterback in Cody Kessler, who will be looking to bounce back and provide more leadership after a rough outing. He was on the fringe of the Heisman discussion until the loss to Washington. He threw two early interceptions, which helped set the tone for the upset loss, and was sacked five times, yet he still ranks fourth nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 179.2. Kessler threw six touchdown passes in last season’s 49-14 win over the Irish, but this Notre Dame defense is a lot healthier and much more stout than last year’s version. Plus the Trojans will be without Max Tuerk, who’s done for the year following a knee injury. His loss means trouble for Kessler and the rest of the front line, since the center was the leader of that group. The Irish front seven, particularly Sheldon Day and Jaylon Smith, will routinely break through and disrupt the USC backfield. And if last week told us anything, it’s that the Trojans’ offense is neutralized when there is traffic in the backfield.
KEY STAT
238.8 – Notre Dame’s rushing yards per game to rank 13th in the FBS. USC’s inconsistent defense has allowed 182 or more yards on the ground in three of its five games.
BETTING ANGLE
Southern Cal opened the season well enough, racking up 114 points in two easy cupcake wins. But the downhill slide began right after that with a loss to Stanford. Sarkisian was fired on Monday following allegations of alcohol abuse, overshadowing a stunning loss to Washington, the Trojans’ second straight defeat at home. USC looks like a team in disarray at the moment. The Trojans were supposed to contend for not only a Pac-12 championship this season, but also for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Instead they can’t seem to get out of their own way, and bettors can’t be sure which USC will show up. The smart choice in this spot is with Notre Dame, playing at home against a manageable spread. However, USC still has the talent and the turmoil over their former coach could be a galvanizing moment.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
While it’s easy to write USC off after the latest turbulence surrounding the program, Kessler and many of his teammates already learned how to adjust to a coaching change the first three times it happened during the past two seasons. And remember, talent isn’t the issue with USC. The quarterback will respond in a rivalry game and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and backs Tre Madden and Ronald Jones II are all playmakers for an offense looking for redemption after last week’s disaster. Justin Wilcox’s defense has evolved into a solid mix of veterans and blue-chip underclassmen that allows less than four yards per carry and is capable of slowing down Irish workhorse C.J. Prosise. The Trojans have allowed just one touchdown pass and slightly better than 50 percent of pass attempts to be completed over the last two games. Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer has been steady since taking over, but spectacular moments have been rare. The Trojans will rally with the odds stacked against them and leave South Bend with a victory over the stunned Irish.
USC 31, Notre Dame 26
The college football lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker and the Fighting Irish were positioned as 4-point favorites with a total of 61. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish square off on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
