Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2019

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the second half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts in the second half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish grabs the helmet of Cameron Smith #35 of the USC Trojans as he runs after a catch during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish grabs the helmet of Cameron Smith #35 of the USC Trojans as he runs after a catch during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The 2018 rivalry matchup between Notre Dame and USC had more on the line than most of these matchups do and it’s because the Trojans stood in the way of the Irish and an undefeated season and playoff berth. The game took place at the Coliseum but Notre Dame was unfazed by the hostile road crowd as the Trojans just didn’t have any offense.

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JT Daniels has a bright future, but he was thrust into the action as a freshman and struggled, at times. He’ll bounce back in 2019 as a formidable sophomore quarterback who shows much improvement, but he’s going to struggle at Notre Dame in Week 7.

The sophomore quarterback will throw three interceptions in his worst game of the season as the Trojans are unable to exact revenge for last season’s loss in Los Angeles.

Notre Dame, on the other hand, will have no problem finding the end zone as this two-score victory could officially spell the end of Clay Helton who continues to show he can’t win the big game. Although it’s just midway through the year, Trojan fans could be calling for his job after another tough loss to Notre Dame.

Final Score: USC 23, Notre Dame 37 (5-1)