Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 10 USC in Week 7

3. Caleb Williams and Co. will be held under 40 points

Now at first glance, I understand that holding a team to under 40 points doesn’t sound like a bold prediction. However, led by head coach Lincoln Riley and the Heisman Trophy incumbent, quarterback Caleb Williams, Southern Cal is a team that scores points at such a quick and efficient clip that one could mistakenly think that he/she is watching the Trojans in the virtual world of EA Sports NCAA Football instead of real life.

USC is so potent that they’ve only failed to reach the 40-plus points mark twice during the past 14 games played.  During this span, the Trojans have won 13 games and averaged 46.5 points per game.

Wondering what the two production outliers are?

Whelp, the first game in which USC was held below 40-plus points was against none other than the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, in the regular season finale. Southern Cal scored 38 points that day, en route to a 38-27 victory, a moment in which Caleb seemed to have clinched the Heisman Trophy.

The most recent game was a 24 point scoring output against Utah in the Pac-12 Championship. That resulted in the lone loss during this 14-game run, and a big loss it was as the Trojans were knocked out of the CFP race.

So, all things considered, having the Irish hold the Trojans below 40 points would be quite the achievement for Marcus Freeman’s defense.

While the defensive unit held the Trojans under 40 points on the road last year, the Irish just barely got it done. However, with key contributors returning at every level, such as cornerback Benjamin Morrison, linebacker Marist Liufau, and defensive lineman Howard Cross III, combined with the home field advantage this go round, I predict that Notre Dame will indeed break USC’s streak of seven straight 40-plus point games.