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Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons the Irish will beat USC in Week 8

By Dante Pryor

Dec 5, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players out of the tunnel before the game against the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players out of the tunnel before the game against the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish placekicker Jonathan Doerer (39) celebrates with offensive lineman Michael Carmody (68) and tight end George Takacs (85) after he makes the game-winning field goal from the hold of punter Jay Bramblett (left) against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish placekicker Jonathan Doerer (39) celebrates with offensive lineman Michael Carmody (68) and tight end George Takacs (85) after he makes the game-winning field goal from the hold of punter Jay Bramblett (left) against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Notre Dame is more physical

This game will come down to the trenches. If that is the case, Notre Dame holds the edge. USC has not played very physical football this season, and the Irish want to win along the line of scrimmage. Opponents have been able to push the Trojans around in the trenches this season.

Offensively, Notre Dame wants to come and establish dominance along the line of scrimmage to run the football with Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree. The Irish should win upfront despite the many injuries to the offensive line.

Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman is still sorting out a young but talented defense. The Irish have been gutted against the run, but USC does not run the football, so Notre Dame should not be a massive problem.

It will be cold in South Bend Saturday evening, and the Irish should be able to outmuscle USC and muck this game up. The Trojans have a smallish defensive line which Notre Dame should be able to take advantage of.

If Notre Dame can get their ground game going and lean on the USC defense, the Irish should be able to pull away late in the second half.

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