USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Odds, College Football Pick

Not too long ago, Southern Cal had beaten Notre Dame eight times in a row. However, the worm may be turning in this rivalry as the Irish have won three of the last five meetings and covered the spread in four of the last six. A troubled Trojans team treks to South Bend to take on Notre Dame Saturday afternoon.

Point spread: Fighting Irish opened as three-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 26.8-22.6 Fighting Irish

Why the Southern Cal Trojans can cover the spread

Southern Cal opened this season well enough, racking up 114 points in two easy victories over inferior foes. But the team has gone Jekyll and Hyde since by losing to Stanford, blowing out Arizona State, then falling at home to Washington last Thursday in an ugly 17-12 loss.

The Trojans led the Huskies at the half, but fumbled on their first possession of the third quarter, lost the lead and never recovered. On the night, USC outgained and outrushed Washington, but a 1 for 13 conversion ratio on third down didn't help.

Southern Cal will play under unusual circumstances this Saturday, as head coach Steve Sarkisian was relieved of his duties Monday, per ESPN. However, this could actually work in the Trojans' favor. A struggling team, playing on the road, might adapt the “us against the world” mentality and come up with an inspired effort, and this is still a talented team.

Why the Notre Dame Fighting Irish can cover the spread

Following its first loss of the season at Clemson two weeks ago, the Irish bounced back in Week 6 to beat Navy 41-24, covering as two-touchdown home favorites. Notre Dame only led the Midshipmen by a field goal at the half, then won the second half 17-3.

On the day, Notre Dame outgained Navy 459-340 as running back C.J. Prosise ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback DeShone Kizer threw for 281 and accounted for two scores.

The Irish have outgained every opponent this season by an average of 180 yards per game. They have also covered four spreads in a row.

Smart pick

USC looks like a team in disarray at the moment. The Trojans were supposed to contend for not only a Pac-12 championship this season, but also for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Instead, they can't seem to get out of their own way, and bettors can't be sure which USC will show up. The smart choice in this spot is with Notre Dame, playing at home against a manageable spread.

Betting trends

USC is 5-2 SU in its last seven games.

The total has gone under in USC's last five games on the road.

Notre Dame is 6-1 SU and ATS in its last seven games.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.