Notre dame-usc
Time: 2:30 PM CST
Spread: USC -7
M/L: USC -260; ND +220
Total: 63
Betting odds c/o Bovada
Notre Dame is trying to snap a three-game losing streak this week on the road at USC, and according to college football odds on oddsmaker Bovada, the Fighting Irish have a fight on their hands. USC is 7-point favorites this week hosting the struggling Irish.
Notre Dame has fallen to some quality opponents, in its defense. Consistently saddled with a tough schedule, the Independent Irish have fallen to then-No. 9 Arizona State, Northwestern and then-No. 24 Louisville the last three weeks. Last week, in the loss to Louisville, the Irish drew within three points on a 28-yard TD pass to William Fuller, followed by a 2-point conversion, but were unable to get within striking distance to tie the game in the last 11-plus minutes of the contest.
Everett Golson put in another strong performance, throwing 16-of-24 for 236 yards and two TDs, but he threw one interception. In the backfield, Tarean Folston came through big, as well, with 134 yards and a TD, but it was offset by Louisville’s 229 rushing yards in the game.
The Cardinals dominated the clock, possessing the ball for over 35 minutes without fumbling once. Notre Dame’s defense has been mediocre all season, allowing 27.5 points per game which is barely enough to offset its strong offense (34.7 points per game).
USC fell 38-20 last week to then-No. 9 UCLA, and has a chance to close its season on a high note this week. The Trojans are 2-2 against AP ranked opponents, but have dropped its past two tough ones to Utah (Oct 25) and the Bruins last week. USC is averaging 33.8 points per game this year, largely due to its dominant pass offense. The Trojans rank 20th in the nation in passing yardage (287.5 per game).
Cody Kessler has continued to build off his strong sophomore campaign last season. He’s upped his completion ratio to nearly 70 percent and thrown over 3,000 yards for the first time in his NCAA career, while boasting an 8.4 yard per attempt average. He’s also thrown just four interceptions while having racked up 30 TDs, good for a 164.7 passer rating. In the 38-30 victory over Cal on Nov 13, Kessler threw for 371 yards at a 73.8 percent completion ratio, with four TDs and one INT. The week prior to that, he threw for 400 yards and a 222.2 passer rating.
Kessler is the force behind USC’s offense, and it’s a strong one.
