USC at Notre Dame

This is a rivalry game and a big challenge for a deep, talented and experienced Notre Dame defense that was humiliated at USC last season, surrendering 49 points. But that was a badly banged up, depleted defense and the #14 Irish are much healthier now, holding Clemson to 24 points, speed-oriented Navy to 24 and the new Texas no-huddle attack to three points. They also shut down the Georgia Tech option attack allowing 22 points. Notre Dame is 34-16-1 UNDER the total after a victory, 34-16-1 UNDER against a team with a winning record, as well as 9-3 UNDER against the PAC-12. The Irish lost their starting QB for the season, so redshirt freshman DeShone Kizer (eight TDs, four INTS) has stepped in. Notre Dame's 238.8 rushing yards per game ranks #13 in the FBS and they will look to control the ball and the clock to keep the pigskin out of the hands of USC QB Cody Kessler. However, this is only the second road game for the Trojans, and Kessler is coming off his worst performance of the season, held to 156 yards passing with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 17-12 home loss to Washington last week. The Trojans committed three turnovers and went 1-of-13 on third down against the Huskies. USC is 15-5-1 UNDER the total against a team with a winning record, and 35-16-2 UNDER after a spread loss. USC is also 5-0 UNDER the total on the road, plus 23-6-1 UNDER after allowing fewer than 170 yards passing in their previous game. When these rivals clash the UNDER is 4-1, including 4-1 UNDER in South Bend. Go with the UNDER.