No. 20 USC (5-1) at No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2)
Notre Dame Stadium | 7:30 PM ET | NBC | Line: Notre Dame --9.5 | Total: 60.5
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Five Players To Watch
Notre Dame LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
KVA didn't get an opportunity to play in the USC game last season and he's the kind of player who was built to play in these big matchups. He earned a reputation as a dominant player in the brightest moments at St. John Bosco and this is an opportunity for him to be that guy at Notre Dame.
USC WR Makai Lemon
Lemon has been the best wide receiver in college football in the first half of the season and USC has made him the primary focus of their offense. He has been targeted 26 times in the last two games and Lincoln Riley will try to get the dynamic playmaker the football as much as possible in this game. It will be about the Notre Dame defense containing him rather than shutting him down. They need to not let him take over the game.
Notre Dame DT Elijah Hughes
Not having Gabriel Rubio is a significant loss for Notre Dame's defensive line. He's been their best defensive tackle this season. Hughes is someone who earned a spot in the rotation over the last few weeks and he's played well in his opportunities. Look for him to have an expanded role this week and he should be extra motivated going against his previous school.
USC LB Eric Gentry
Gentry didn't play in the back half of last season for USC after suffering multiple concussions and was greatly missed. He finished with the most tackles for loss on their team despite only playing 173 total snaps last fall. This year he has 11 havoc plays in six games, which includes three forced fumbles. Gentry is their biggest playmaker on defense and USC will need him to have a huge game against the Irish.
Notre Dame WR Jordan Faison
If the weather is as ugly as projected, neither team will be throwing the ball as much as they normally would. We can expect a heavy dose of Notre Dame's backfield if that's the case, but Mike Denbrock is still likely going to try and find ways to get Faison the ball even if short passing is the only option. He's been awesome after the catch and his 14 missed tackles forced on only 29 catches is the fourth most of every Power 4 receiver.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“We know the weather can affect game plans. The weather can affect multiple different things - from the walk from the Basilica. There could be delays.
“We're aware. We have plans and then we have to adapt and adjust. That's more than anything - we don't know what exactly the weather will be and what's gonna happen, but we have to make sure we have a plan and we do for all the different scenarios that could happen.”
Notre Dame DC Chris Ash:
“We worked. That's it. When we started the season, we didn't execute or play the way we wanted to play up to the standards that the players, and we have as a staff. There's no magical thing that changed, we just had to continue to work; continue to practice. The biggest thing is probably just the consistency, you know? We got better upfront, we got better at linebacker, we eliminated some explosive plays at DB, and you put all of those things together, it's a better product."
Notre Dame OL Billy Schrauth:
“Next-man-up mentality is something we talk about in our offensive line room all the time. Got a lot of faith in not just Otting, but everybody in that room. That's where it kind of stems from: that togetherness, that feeling.”
Notre Dame LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa:
“Anytime you have a chance to hit the ball-carrier, it sends a message to the other team and to our own team. It’s definitely part of the game and you keep going.”
Notre Dame LB Drayk Bowen:
“You hope he feels it a little more the next time he wants to run the ball. It certainly feels good for me when you get to hit somebody pretty good. I hope he felt it. If not, then I didn't hit him hard enough.”
For Your Nerves
Under Armour White Notre Dame Fighting Irish Shillelagh Rival Fleece Sweatshirt
