USC Trojans vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction, 10/18/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: USC Trojans vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Location: Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, IN

TV: NBC Peacock

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Irish (-8.5)

Total/Over-Under: 61

The USC Trojans (5-1) are traveling to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025 where they will take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2). USC opens as 8.5-point underdogs from oddsmakers. The over/under is set at 61.

The USC Trojans come into this game with a record of 5-1 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Trojans faced the Michigan Wolverines and walked away with a win by a score of 31-13. The USC Trojans ran the ball 36 different times and accrued 224 yards, which came out to an average of 6.2 yards per attempt. In all, they had 68 plays which gave them 489 yards. USC relinquished 15 pass completions on 26 attempts for a total of 207 yds, and a completion rate of 57.7%. When it came to stopping the run, the Trojans gave up 109 yards on 31 attempts, which is an average of 3.5 yards per rush surrendered.

When talking about getting in the endzone, the USC Trojans are averaging 45.5 points per game. As a unit they average 226.5 yards rushing which is 16th in the country. The Trojans have earned 3,314 total yards over the course of this season. With reference to getting in the endzone, USC has compiled 14 passing touchdowns and 19 rushing touchdowns. USC has accumulated 157 1st downs as a team, and they have been called for 44 infractions for 423 yards. They have turned the football over 7 times.

When it comes to passing yardage, the Trojans have given up 1,462 yards which ranks them 101st in the country. They are giving up 243.7 yards per contest via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 62.3%. During this campaign, they are surrendering 352.2 yards per outing which has them ranked 62nd in the country. They have yielded 13 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 3 touchdowns pounding the rock. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.5 yards per tote and 108.5 yards on the ground per game so far this year. For the year, they have given up 651 yards via the running game in 6 games. The Trojans rank 51st in D-1 regarding the opposition scoring, conceding 21.3 PPG.

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The Fighting Irish step onto the field holding a record of 4-2 this season. When they last played, the Fighting Irish took home the win by a final score of 36-7 against the NC State Wolfpack. Notre Dame relinquished 28 running attempts for 51 yds (1.8 yards per rush). The Fighting Irish passing defense allowed a completion percentage of 58.1%, surrendering 182 yds on 18 out of 31 passing. The Fighting Irish finished the contest with 485 yards and they ran 71 plays (6.8 yards per play). Notre Dame rushed the ball for 3.7 yds per carry, finishing with 143 yds on 39 carries.

In relation to putting points on the board, the Fighting Irish are sitting 14th in the country with 40.0 points per contest. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hold an average of 465.5 yards per outing, ranking them 21st in D-1. The Notre Dame offense has compiled 285 yds of penalties on 35 infractions, ranking them 80th in the country in terms of making mistakes. They have thrown 3 interceptions while losing 3 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 143 1st downs. For the year thus far, the Fighting Irish have a total of 1,757 yards through the air along with an average of 292.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 19th in Division 1. They have an average of 172.7 yards per game via the ground game and have toted the ball for 1,036 yards overall.

Notre Dame has given up a total of 637 yards rushing (106.2 yards/game) in addition to 6 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have allowed 8 touchdowns through the air as well as 245.3 yards/game, which has them in 104th in D-1. Overall, they have allowed 125 total points. They have 1 fumble and 11 picks so far this year. The Fighting Irish defense has taken the field for 397 plays, which ranks them 67th in D-1. The Fighting Irish are giving up 20.8 PPG, which has them 47th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Trojans/Fighting Irish college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Trojans +8.5

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