The next couple of weeks are going to decide which 4 teams will be in the college football playoffs, and while the top 4 right now look pretty good, there is still a chance that things might change. The one team that is perhaps the most nervous in that group has to be the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. You would assume that they would be in if they win their final regular game of the season to go unbeaten, but who really knows what the playoff committee will do.
The committee has always gone with teams from the Power 5, so there is always the possibility that the Irish would be edged out by a 1-loss conference champion, and there are certainly a few teams waiting in the wings to be that team. All that Notre Dame can do right now is continue to win, but they will have a tricky one on Saturday night when they head to California to face the USC Trojans. The Irish are in as a 12-point favorite, with the point total for this one set at 54.
Notre Dame vs USC NCAA Football Week 13 Betting Odds & Prediction
Ian Book currently has the nation’s third-highest adjusted completion percentage – has the Fighting Irish eyeing a 12-0 season and a berth in the College Football Playoffhttps://t.co/Iv4qThBnfp pic.twitter.com/RjIaAwHNRS
— PFF College (@PFF_College) 22 de noviembre de 2018
- When: Saturday, November 24 at 8 PM EST
- Where: LA Memorial Coliseum, LA
- TV: ABC
- Radio: TuneIn
- Live Stream: ABC Go
- NCAA Football Week 13 Betting Odds: Notre Dame -12 (Total 54.5)
San Jose State at Fresno State NCAA Football Week 13 Spread & Pick
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 16°C/61°F
- Humidity: 82%
- Precipitation: 5%
- Cloud Cover: 9%
- Wind: 1 mph ESE
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish?
If the Irish wins this one and make it into the college football playoff, they will be the first team outside the Power 5 to do so. While we mentioned the possibility of them potentially being forced out, that seems like a rather unlikely scenario to me, as they have done more than enough to warrant a top 4 finish.They are certainly finishing the season strong, winning their last 2 games by a combined score of 78-16. Going on the road to Southern California and putting up a big win would very likely be the exclamation point on a great season for the Irish. History is not on their side, though, as they have struggled mightily in past meetings, going 2-6 SU and ATS in their last 8 games on the road versus the USC Trojans.
Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 34.64
- Total Yards: 454.55
- Rush Yards: 196.82
- Passing Yards: 257.73
- Average Score Against: 17.27
- Total Yards: 321.36
- Rush Yards: 137.09
- Passing Yards: 184.27
Why bet on the USC Trojans?
The teams sitting just outside of the top 4 would love to see the Irish stumble on the road, but the USC Trojans have not exactly been playing in a manner that would suggest that they are up for this fight. After all, they are just 1-4 SU in their last 5 games, but perhaps more importantly, there have been 3 occasions when they have started as the underdog this season and they have failed to cover the spread in all 3.
Given how the Irish have been playing of late, the Trojans are going to need to do better than their 27 PPG on offense this season. Defensively, USC has been poor against the run, which is one area in which the Irish have been very good. If they stop the run, they have a shot at pulling the major upset.
Team Stats
Offense- Average Score For: 26.91
- Total Yards: 377.09
- Rush Yards: 138.09
- Passing Yards: 239.00
- Average Score Against: 27.27
- Total Yards: 379.91
- Rush Yards: 168.36
- Passing Yards: 211.55
Michigan vs Ohio State NCAA Football Week 13 Lines & Game Preview
Latest Notre Dame vs USC NCAA Football Week 13 Betting Trends
- Notre Dame is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Notre Dame is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Notre Dame’s last 5 games on the road
- Southern California is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Southern California is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Southern California’s last 6 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
If the Irish can set aside the jitters and get out to a fast start on Saturday night, the rout could well be on. I like Notre Dame to punch their playoff ticket with a dominating win here.Score: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 37 – USC Trojans 17
