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USC vs Notre Dame Week 13 Expert Betting Pick

USC vs Notre Dame Week 13 Expert Betting Pick

Written by on July 29, 2016

NCAA Football Betting News
One of the best and most storied non-conference games in college football annually is Southern Cal and Notre Dame. And the two powerhouses close the regular season against one another this year — the loser could be knocked out of the College Football Playoff if both are in contention entering the game. The Trojans likely will be slight home favorites in college football lines.

Here’s a Closer Look at the USC vs Notre Dame Week 13 Expert Betting Pick & TV Info

When: Saturday, Nov. 26, TBAWhere: Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumTV: TBAOpening NCAAF Lines: TBA

USC vs Notre Dame Historic Betting Trends

Last year, these teams met around midseason at Notre Dame and the Irish won 41-31. Notre Dame rallied for 17 points in the fourth quarter after blowing a two-touchdown lead, and took the lead on Corey Robinson’s diving catch with 9:06 left. C.J. Prosise ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and DeShone Kizer threw two scoring passes, the second the 10-yarder to Robinson that made it 38-31. Robinson and Prosise are no longer with the Irish. Wide receiver Will Fuller caught three passes for 131 yards and a touchdown of 75 yards. Fuller is now in the NFL.Notre Dame’s 41 points were the highest point total by the Irish against USC since the fabled ‘Green Jersey Game’ in 1977, when Joe Montana and the Irish crushed the Trojans, 49-19. Notre Dame’s 21 first quarter points in 2015 were the most points that Notre Dame has ever scored in a single quarter against the Trojans. The previous high was 19 points in the fourth quarter of a 27-25 loss to USC in 1978. Notre Dame and USC have played 348 quarters of football against each other over 87 meetings. Notre Dame improved to 46-36- 5 all-time against USC, including a 25-14- 1 mark in home games. Both teams have the highest victory total historically against one another than any other opponent.That 2015 game came at an odd time for USC as it was the Trojans’ first game after firing coach Steve Sarkisian. Clay Helton took over as the interim coach and eventually got the full-time job. USC coaches are now 0-7 in their first games against Notre Dame. Cody Kessler threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score for USC, but the Irish picked him off two passes in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Kessler is now in the NFL.

Why Bet Notre Dame?

The Irish have not just one but two good QBs so they are covered in case of injury or ineffectiveness. Malik Zaire started the first two games of the 2015 season before a broken ankle ended his campaign. He completed 26-of- 40 passes for 428 yards and four TDs. Zaire also rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries. He registered six completions of at least 20 yards and three of at least 30 yards. He became just the fifth Notre Dame player to throw for at least 300 yards in a season opener.Kizer started each of the final 11 contests. He completed 211-of- 335 passes for 2,884 yards with 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his first season as a starter. Kizer recorded 10 rushing TDs, which broke the single-season school record for quarterbacks. He ranked 12th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing TDs by a quarterback (10), 17th in passing yards per attempt (8.61), 22nd in points responsible for per game (14.9), 24th in passing efficiency (150.0) and 25th in passing yards per completion (13.67).

Why Bet USC?

Because the game is at home. The Trojans rolled the Irish in Los Angeles 49-14 in 2014. USC has a ton of offensive talent in 2016 all over the field. There’s potential All-American wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, the speedy game-changer Adoree’ Jackson and reliable Darreus Rodgers. That’s just the wide receivers. At tailback, they have the dynamic duo of sophomore Ronald Jones II and senior Justin Davis. Both guys ran for over 900 yards last season.The big question at USC is who is going to start at quarterback. After the loss of Kessler, Helton went into spring ball with the experienced backup Max Browne and redshirt freshman Sam Darnold. Yet, by the end of spring, neither had cemented himself as the starter. Most expect Browne to be the guy.

My Expert Pick

I like the Irish here on NCAA football odds.
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