Saturday Blitz
Fansided

USC Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

By Darrelle Thompson

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans looks on from the sidelines against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Clay Helton of the USC Trojans looks on from the sidelines against the Stanford Cardinal during the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi's Stadium on December 1, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. The Trojans won the game 31-28. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 14
Next
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs into the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 21: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs into the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame can have one of the best offenses in the country this season. That’s not just hyperbole they have one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country who should improve immensely as a passer under head coach Brian Kelly.

Brandon Wimbush is a threat to take every carry to the house. He will make a lot of plays against the Trojans defense and should put up a highlight reel when it’s all said and done.

Last year the Irish whooped USC up and down the field in a dominant 49-14 victory. I expect both offenses to be on fire and it will be a back and forth shootout.

This is a game where the true freshman quarterback JT Daniels might get ahead of himself and try to force things early. I think Daniels will come out composed in the second half.

Look for Marvell Tell to make a clutch play in the fourth quarter. I expect USC to blitz often on early downs and keep Winbush in the pocket on first and second downs.

It will be a back-and-forth game and I think a field goal as time expires will lead USC to a victory and they will head into the Pac-12 championship game on a major hot streak.

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, USC 45 (11-1)

Home/USC Trojans