Notre Dame Football

6 Thoughts on a Thursday

Thoughts on why Notre Dame-USC has more meaning than CFP implications, why defending the screen game could be critically important for ND on Saturday, why USC's corners are bad matchup with ND's skill talent, and more
October 16, 2025
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Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD

In terms of traditional rankings, this Notre Dame-USC game is not a top-10 matchup. It’s 13 vs 20 based on the AP poll.

But based on how these teams have performed this season according to advanced stats, it is a top-10 matchup.

That seems fitting for what could be the last time these two play, at least in a regular series. The game always matters, but it matters even more when the two teams are good.

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