USC vs Notre Dame Prediction 10/18/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet in week 8 college football action from Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish prediction.

USC Trojans Recap

The USC Trojans come into this game looking to add on to their win over Michigan by a final score of 31-13 to win to improve to 5-1 this season. After this game, USC will head on the road for a game against Nebraska.

Trojans Looking To Build Momentum

Jayden Maiava has thrown for 1,852 yards, 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 71.9% passing while Husan Longstreet’s thrown for 103 yards and a TD on 86.7% passing. Waymond Jordan leads USC in rushing with 576 yards and 5 TDs while King Miller has 310 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns as well. Eli Sanders has 264 rushing yards and he and the aforementioned Longstreet each have a pair of rushing TDs as well. Makai Lemon leads the Trojans in receiving with 44 catches for 682 yards and 6 touchdowns while Ja’Kobi Lane has 313 receiving yards and 2 TDs and Lake McRee has 289 receiving yards as well as a touchdown. Three more USC receivers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Eric Gentry has a team-high 41 solo tackles while also logging 3 sacks. Bishop Fitzgerald has a team-high 5 interceptions while Devan Thompkins has 3 sacks, Kameryn Crawford has 2.5 sacks and Braylan Shelby has a team-high 3.5 sacks. As a unit, USC has combined for 20 sacks and 8 interceptions so far this season.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Recap

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish come into this game looking to add on to their 36-7 win over NC State last time out to sit at 4-2 this season. After this game, Notre Dame will head on the road for a game against Boston College.

Irish Win 4 Straight

CJ Carr has thrown for 1,622 yards, 13 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 66.5% passing while Jeremiyah Love leads the Irish in rushing with 530 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns and Jadarian Price has 422 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns so far this season. Jordan Faison leads Notre Dame in receiving with 29 catches for 376 yards and 2 touchdowns while Eli Raridon has 342 receiving yards and Malachi Fields has 339 receiving yards. Will Pauling’s chipped in 243 receiving yards and 3 TDs as well this seaosn. On defense, Drayk Bowen has a team-high 31 total tackles while Boubacar Traore has a team-high 5.5 sacks. Leonard Moore has a team-high 3 interceptions to lead the Irish. As a unit, Notre Dame’s defense has combined for 15 sacks and 11 interceptions so far this season.

USC Trojans @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Trends: Week 8

Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will win

• The favorite has won each of the last 12 games between USC and Notre Dame.
• USC has lost each of its last seven road games against opponents from the FBS Independents.
• Notre Dame has covered the spread in seven of its last eight October games as a favorite against AP-ranked teams.
• USC has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road games in October.
• Notre Dame has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
• Notre Dame has won the first half in eight of its last 10 games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference at Notre Dame Stadium.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• The team ranked 20th in the AP Poll has won each of its last six games.
• Notre Dame has lost each of its last three games against AP-ranked teams.
• USC has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
• Notre Dame has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Notre Dame’s last five games against teams from California have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of USC’s last four games against opponents from the FBS Independents have gone OVER the total points line.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 8, Jeremiyah Love ranks 2nd amongst FBS players for touchdowns (11) this season.

USC Trojans Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 8, Bishop Fitzgerald ranks T1st amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Notre Dame ranks T2nd among FBS teams for interceptions this season (11).
• Notre Dame ranks T132nd among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (12.5).
• USC has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team this season (4).
• USC is the only FBS team to score in every quarter this season.

USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction

I’m on USC here. I just think that this is a ton of points to give up in what could be considered a playoff eliminator. USC has had issues going across time zones in the past, but this USC offense is far too talented to think that they just go down without a whimper here. I think this is going to be a bit of a track meet here so give me USC and the points in this one in a game I could easily see USC winning outright.