Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. USC in Week 13

2. The Irish defense records four turnovers

The Irish defense was good last season, but they’ve made the move to elite under Lea’s guidance. While some growing pains were expected after the loss of defensive coordinator Mike Elko to Texas A&M, Lea was able to put together one of the nation’s top defenses by ironing out some of the kinks left in Elko’s unfinished product.

The Irish have allowed just over 17 points per game since the change in coordinator, good for 15th in the country. Notre Dame has also maintained a strong floor on defense, allowing only one opponent to score over 23 points this season. With only one game left to play in the regular season, no team has put up 30 points against the Irish.

Much of that is due in part to the Irish’s turnover ratio this season. With quarterback Ian Book taking the Irish offense to places it hasn’t been in quite some time, Notre Dame’s defense can play aggressive, resulting in them averaging over a turnover and a half per game.

As previously mentioned, USC hasn’t fared well in the turnover category this season, particularly through the air. The Irish just so happen to be pretty good at forcing interceptions as they currently rank 25th in the nation in opponent turnovers per game. Given how careless Daniels has been with the football this season, don’t expect things to change in the regular season finale.