USC at Notre Dame - 2021 Matchup Preview
USC logo   USC Trojans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish  Notre Dame logo
Saturday, October 23rd 2021 (7:30 PM EDT)
Notre Dame -8 (59.5)
Notre Dame 31 - USC: 16

 
Trojans (4 - 8) (4 - 8 - 0)
Coach Donte Williams (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (27 - 29 on Road)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
USC coming off BYE
ND coming off BYE
Our Line: -11.5  (SP+ ND -18)
Projected Score: USC: 25 - ND: 35 (60)
ND Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
USC Travel: 1816 miles, 3 hrs behind
Fighting Irish (11 - 2) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Brian Kelly (84 - 38)
Avg Score : 42 - 18 (45 - 18 @ Home)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
USC's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 USC vs San José State-13.561.0W 30 - 7UY
Sat 9/11 USC vs Stanford-17.053.0L 28 - 42ON
Sat 9/18 USC at Washington State-7.061.0W 45 - 14UY
Sat 9/25 USC vs Oregon State-11.062.5L 27 - 45ON
Sat 10/2 USC at Colorado-9.050.5W 37 - 14OY
Sat 10/9 USC vs Utah-3.052.5L 26 - 42ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/23 USC at Notre Dame+8.059.5L 16 - 31UN
Sat 10/30 USC vs Arizona-22.055.5W 41 - 34ON
Sat 11/6 USC at Arizona State+10.061.0L 16 - 31UN
Sat 11/13 USC at California-2.052.5
Sat 11/20 USC vs UCLA+4.566.5L 33 - 62ON
Sat 11/27 USC vs BYU+8.565.5L 31 - 35OY
Sat 12/4 USC at California+4.557.5L 14 - 24UN

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Notre Dame's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/5 Notre Dame at Florida State-7.053.5W 41 - 38ON
Sat 9/11 Notre Dame vs Toledo-16.555.0W 32 - 29ON
Sat 9/18 Notre Dame vs Purdue-7.558.0W 27 - 13UY
Sat 9/25 Notre Dame vs Wisconsin+6.043.5W 41 - 13OY
Sat 10/2 Notre Dame vs Cincinnati+2.550.0L 13 - 24UN
Sat 10/9 Notre Dame at Virginia Tech+1.046.5W 32 - 29OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/23 Notre Dame vs USC-8.059.5W 31 - 16UY
Sat 10/30 Notre Dame vs North Carolina-3.563.0W 44 - 34OY
Sat 11/6 Notre Dame vs Navy-21.047.5W 34 - 6UY
Sat 11/13 Notre Dame at Virginia-7.562.5W 28 - 3UY
Sat 11/20 Notre Dame vs Georgia Tech-18.057.5W 55 - 0UY
Sat 11/27 Notre Dame at Stanford-20.553.0W 45 - 14OY
Sat 1/1 Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State+1.545.5L 35 - 37ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Notre Dame's Schedule
Important Stats (2020)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC.1846%35.844%2.419747%3193.92.1841%2340%41%3.7971.81.82.5
ND.2547%4248%3.2621147%2373.84.1339%17.639%40%2.83380.91.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
ND0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Offense635.827.446.2%3.921.822417973193.239%61%44%47%17%.18
ND Defense1217.61839.4%2.831.4 - - - - - 44%55%39%40%22%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Defense62328.840.8%3.792.5 - - - - - 52%48%40%41%17%.18
ND Offense124244.747.2%3.840.924449211237556%44%48%47%13%.25

Additional Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
USC630:1422.344%67%6.771.81.82.55.72.2035.4
Notre Dame1233:4924.249%65%4.4380.91.47.32.4229
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Offense639%44%30.797.33.28-.142.4161%10%0.64
ND Defense1244%39% - - - - .042.4371%14%1.04
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
USC Defense652%40% - - - - .12.9157%11%1.05
ND Offense1256%48%42.2211.4533.163.2688%10%0.91

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Offense661%47%29.743.8319.37.310.8177.381.530%35%.367%2
ND Defense1255%40% - - - - - - 7.221.637%30%.348%2.1
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Defense648%41% - - - - - - 9.261.632%28%.366%2
ND Offense1244%47%19.330.2237.47.912.3153.371.629%36%.423%1.9

USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: NR
USC's Offense Rating: NR
USC's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #10
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
USC's 2021 Expected Record: -
USC's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -0.6  #81
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.3  #45
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.4  #107

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
USC:    Notre Dame: 11.2

SP+ Ratings Matchup
USC: -0.6   Notre Dame: 17.4




Notre Dame's Power Ratings
Notre Dame's Power Rating: 11.2 NR
Notre Dame's Offense Rating: NR
Notre Dame's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Notre Dame's 2021 Expected Record: -
Notre Dame's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 17.4  #11
Notre Dame's Offense SP+ Rating: 36.2  #20
Notre Dame's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.9  #15

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.4
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

USC's 2021 Record
Record: 4 - 8
Record vs Spread: 4 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 5
Record on Road: 2 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Notre Dame 35
USC 25

Projected Total Points: 60
Notre Dame Scoring
Offense: 42 PPG
Offense at Home: 44.7
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 18

Notre Dame's 2021 Record
Record: 11 - 2
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record at home: 6 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 7 - 2 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 5 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/18Notre Dame34USC24Notre Dame -10.5USC60.5Under
202411/30USC35Notre Dame49Notre Dame -6.5Notre Dame52.5Over
202310/14Notre Dame48USC20Notre Dame -3Notre Dame61.0Over
202211/26USC38Notre Dame27USC -4USC63.5Over
202110/23Notre Dame31USC16Notre Dame -8Notre Dame59.5Under
201910/12Notre Dame30USC27Notre Dame -10.5USC60.0Under
201811/24USC17Notre Dame24Notre Dame -12.5USC54.0Under
201710/21Notre Dame49USC14Notre Dame -4Notre Dame61.5Over
201611/26USC45Notre Dame27USC -17USC59.5Over
201510/17Notre Dame41USC31Notre Dame -3Notre Dame62.0Over
201411/29USC49Notre Dame14USC -7USC0
201310/19Notre Dame14USC10Notre Dame -1.5Notre Dame0
201211/24USC13Notre Dame22
201110/22Notre Dame17USC31
201011/27USC16Notre Dame20
200910/17Notre Dame27USC34
200811/29USC38Notre Dame3
200710/20Notre Dame0USC38
200611/25USC44Notre Dame24
200510/15Notre Dame31USC34
200411/27USC41Notre Dame10
200310/18Notre Dame14USC45
200110/20Notre Dame27USC16
200011/24USC21Notre Dame38
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Notre Dame1366 Overs
USC1164 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams14 - 109 - 38 - 21 - 1
Road Teams10 - 143 - 91 - 12 - 8

(#) USC at (#) ND
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUSCND
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #81 #11
Perf GradeGrade #41 #12
OffenseOff #23 #24
DefenseDef #104 #13
Spec TeamsST #92 #14
TalentTal #10 #12
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
USC on Offense
CategoryCat
USC OffND Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #23 #13
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #45 #15
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
USC Run Game
CategoryCat
USC OffND Def
Run GameRun #43 #25
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #13 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #7
USC Pass Game
CategoryCat
USC OffND Def
Pass GamePass #49 #17
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #8 #52
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Notre Dame on Offense
CategoryCatND OffUSC Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #24 #104
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #20 #107
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Notre Dame Run Game
CategoryCat
ND OffUSC Def
Run GameRun #51 #93
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #22 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #130
Notre Dame Pass Game
CategoryCatND OffUSC Def
Pass GamePass #40 #118
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #15 #66
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
ND 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'21 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

USC 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'21 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Notre Dame Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 8
Notre Dame -8.0 (59.5)
Notre Dame won vs USC this year (31-16)

Previous Matchups
Notre Dame beat USC last year (34-24)
Notre Dame beat USC in 2024 (49-35)
Notre Dame beat USC in 2023 (48-20)

  
USC's OC Graham Harrell (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC Todd Orlando (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

ND's OC Tommy Rees (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Notre Dame's Full Roster

ND's DC Marcus Freeman (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD