Notre Dame Football: 5 toughest opponents in 2018

The loss of Sam Darnold cannot be understated. At the time, the future first round NFL Draft selection didn’t play up to his potential. He fell apart on the road against Notre Dame, all-but killing the Trojans’ College Football Playoff hopes. With him on to the NFL, USC is going to have to turn to a true freshman, JT Daniels.

By the time Notre Dame travels to the west coast to play USC the true freshman will have the vast majority of a full college football season under his belt. A 5-star recruit and the No. 2 quarterback in his class, Daniels is being billed as the next great USC gunslinger. If he’s as good as he’s supposed to the Irish won’t have the advantage at the quarterback position. That’s never a good thing when you’re playing on the road.

Whether its Brandon Wimbush, Ian Book or Phil Jurkovec the Irish don’t have a clear No. 1 entering the fall. The close race could force the Irish to play all three before they make a decision. Daniels has the starting job to himself all next season and has home field. That’s two significant advantages for the Trojans.