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Notre Dame Football: Game-by-game predictions for October 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) passes during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) passes during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Braden Lenzy (25) runs for a touchdown as USC Trojans safety Talanoa Hufanga (15) pursues in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Braden Lenzy (25) runs for a touchdown as USC Trojans safety Talanoa Hufanga (15) pursues in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Before the year, I would have circled this game on the calendar as a potential ranked battle between the Fighting Irish and Trojans, but after firing Clay Helton and in the midst of some Kedon Slovis struggles, USC is looking mediocre, at best.

The Trojans just lost to Oregon State to end the month of September, and it wasn’t all that close. Plus, before Slovis got injured the week before, the Trojans were down 14-0 early to Washington State.

Slovis hasn’t quite been himself this season and I think that’ll continue here. Notre Dame’s defense is going to give the Trojans a tough time. They’ll be living in the backfield all evening and Slovis will be wanting a breather but Jaxson Dart may not be available as he just had surgery to repair his meniscus.

Notre Dame is going to win this one rather comfortably which I didn’t see happening at the start of the season. The Irish will be 7-0 at this point and flirting with a spot in the top four of the playoff race.

Final Score: USC 24, Notre Dame 42 (7-0)

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