USC squeaked by unranked Utah in last week's game, winning by stopping a 2-point conversion which would have given Utah the lead with one minute to play.
USC has played its fair share of close games this season, only losing one to Washington State, so the team is battle tested for its matchup against No. 13 Notre Dame in South Bend.
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The 11th-ranked Trojans will need that against the Irish, whose lone loss this season against Georgia looks better and better each week. The loser of this game will likely be knocked from playoff contention.
Here are the keys to victory for both teams along with some in-game matchups:
Notre Dame O-Line vs USC’s front seven
Notre Dame has managed 6.9 yards per carry this season behind its offensive line. USC has allowed 4.1 yards per carry. Senior offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey and midseason All-American Quenton Nelson man the left side of the line, and do well in the perimeter run game.
Running back Josh Adams is having one of the best years in college football, rushing for 776 yards and averaging 9.0 yards per carry. When Notre Dame's line and running back are able to function in unison, it’s difficult for any defense to stop. In the play below, two pulling guards manage to get out ahead of Adams and clear the way for some wide open running lanes.
Pairing the offensive line with a dual-threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush adds potency to the Irish's run game. Wimbush missed the game against North Carolina on October 7, but I expect him to make his return against USC. His struggles through the air emanated around his mechanics as a passer, causing him to throw with a wide base and a bit of a wind up.
He tends to have issues with his accuracy, and his receivers haven't been able to pick him up which leads to his 52.3 percent completion rate. Whatever struggles he has had passing the ball, however, he has more than made up for on the ground. Notre Dame is able to design zone reads, power runs, and draws for Wimbush, which usually leads to explosive runs.
USC will rely on Cameron Smith, one of the top inside linebacker prospects at his position for the 2018 draft class, to stymie Wimbush and the Notre Dame run game. He is tied for second in tackles in the Pac-12, with 62. He also plays well in coverage, but makes his money in the run game. He has adequate range and instincts, though he can be drawn in by play action at times. Overall, he tends to be a disciplined player.
A bright spot for this defense has been sophomore defensive end Christian Rector, who — along with Washington State's Hercules Mata'afa — leads the Pac-12 with 6.5 sacks, two of which came against Utah. He is one of the most disruptive defenders in the conference, has his good size and length (standing at 6-4, 275 pounds). His matchup against Notre Dame right tackle Tommy Kraemer might be the most important of the day.
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Ronald Jones, Stephen Carr vs. Jonathan Bonner, Nyles Morgan
Star running backs Ronald Jones II and Stephen Carr give USC a balanced attack and take pressure off quarterback Sam Darnold. These two backs have combined for 1,191 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. Both have excellent lateral movement, though Jones has a little more speed while Carr has a little more tenacity in his carries.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Jonathan Bonner and linebacker lead a rush defense that has been Notre Dame’s defensive strength this season. The Irish have only allowed 3.7 yards a carry this season, and a lot of that has to do with Bonner. The 6-3, 290-pound senior consistently wins with leverage, strong hands and explosion out of his stance. He's able to engage and dictate what happens in the middle of the line. USC doesn’t have many difference-makers on the offensive line, so I expect Bonner to be disruptive in this game.
Morgan mans the middle of this defense. He has above-average athleticism and average instincts. Morgan does in shedding blockers to make tackles, but has a tendency to take the wrong angles in space. However, he diagnoses plays at the snap and is a big reason this team has done so well against the run game this season.
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Iman Marshall vs St. Brown and Claypool
While receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and tight end Alize Mack are Notre Dame’s two most well-known pass-catchers, sophomore wideout Chase Claypool has been the most efficient. Standing at 6-4 228 pounds, Claypool is a great option with his size and also brings fantastic agility and movement after the catch. St. Brown has exceptional athleticism and length, with speed to win deep on deep balls. His presence on the outside can change the way defenses play Notre Dame. But USC’s Iman Marshall should be up for the task.
The USC star cornerback has ideal size for the position at 6-1, 200 pounds. He's exceptional in man coverage and looks like a player who can be placed on an island. His matchup with receivers St. Brown and Claypool could be the difference in this game, if USC is able to force Notre Dame into throwing situations. Marshall is patient in coverage and knows how to play the ball after securing position.
The Irish have a daunting schedule after their game against USC, with matchups against N.C. State, Miami and Stanford looming. If they're able to win out, they could be very much alive for the playoff, if a few of the top teams manage to drop a game.
The Trojans' season rides on Sam Darnold: It will only go as far as he takes it. The inconsistencies in his game are definitely a concern but he has enough tools to carry USC the rest of the way.
The Trojans are carrying the torch for the Pac-12, and after Washington and Washington State lost to unranked opponents on Saturday, no Pac-12 team ranks in the top 10. If USC is able to beat Notre Dame, that will change. And, despite being underdogs on the road, I wouldn’t put anything past Darnold and this Trojans team.