The cross-country rivalry between USC (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten) and Notre Dame (4-2) remains one of college football’s most intense and historic. All time, the Fighting Irish edge out the Trojans in the series 52-37-5.
Beginning in 1926, the storied duel has awarded the Jeweled Shillelagh to the victor since 1952 but USC hasn’t held possession of the honor since head coach Lincoln Riley’s first season with the Trojans in 2022.
Notre Dame has won seven of the last nine meetings, but this is Riley’s strongest all-around team yet in LA — and the Trojans will do anything they can to avoid another collapse.
In reference to his team’s lone loss at Illinois during Week 5, Riley told reporters that “learning from that loss and not being satisfied will be the challenge moving forward.” He emphasized that treating every week as a one week season is the key to his team staying ready emotionally and physically for the difficult stretch ahead.
USC’s high-powered offense is led by quarterback Jayden Maiava who ranks first in total QBR (93.1), completing 72% of his passes at 15.1 yards per completion.
Last weekend against Michigan, he hit 78% of his passes and the running game went for over six yards per pop.
“I want to be more decisive, trust the protection and continue to stack great plays,” Maiava told reporters on Tuesday.
The Trojans rank second in the nation behind Texas Tech in total offense and have one of the best pass rushes in college football. They will definitely be the most dangerous team the Irish have faced since their Week 2 loss to Texas A&M.
On the flip side however, the one time that the Trojans faced a quarterback this year like Notre Dame’s CJ Carr was against Illinois — where Luke Altmyer went off for 331 yards and three scores.
Despite being a redshirt freshman, Carr has been dynamite for the Irish. He has thrown for over 1,600 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, enough for 11th in total QBR. On third-and-7 or more, Notre Dame ranks second in the nation with a 44% conversion rate.
“They’re a really talented team, talented offense, very good in skill positions, I think they’re the most explosive offense in the country,” USC safety Bishop Fitzgerald said. “We gotta bring our A game, stop the run and do a good job on third down.”
Fitzgerald, who earned his first career sack last Saturday, also emphasized that stopping the big plays will be a focal point for tomorrow.
Illinois capitalized on explosive plays and did some damage on the ground as well. The Irish boast a talented backfield pair that could have similar success if the Trojans aren’t more disciplined tomorrow.
Junior running back Jeremiyah Love already has eight touchdowns on the season, including two in last week’s win over N.C. State. Other junior running back Jadarian Price has also excelled, averaging over 6.5 yards per carry on 63 attempts. His explosiveness has taken him to the endzone seven times through six games this season.
The Irish defense has improved as well. In the first two games, both losses, the Irish came up with just one takeaway. Over the last four games — all wins — they’ve come up with 11 including seven over the last two games.
USC’s turnover issue isn’t huge but it’s lingering, they’ve given the ball away four times over the last two games including two major ones at Illinois.
With both teams enjoying some firepower, the momentum ahead of tomorrow night means everything and will carry serious playoff implications into the season’s final stretch.
But when the dust settles, only one can leave with the Jeweled Shillelagh.