The stakes are high as No. 6 USC hosts No. 15 Notre Dame in the regular-season finale for both teams Saturday night in Los Angeles. USC can keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a victory against a quality foe ahead of next week’s Pac-12 Championship Game. Notre Dame can extend its winning streak to six games and claim another marquee November win after the Fighting Irish knocked off Clemson earlier this month when the Tigers were ranked No. 4.
For both programs, the game represents the opportunity for first-year coaches to enter the postseason with major momentum. It’s been a smoother ride for USC’s Lincoln Riley than Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman, but both have their teams playing some of their best football of the season. The Irish also have recent history on their side as winners of four straight in this rivalry matchup. But with a Heisman Trophy candidate in Caleb Williams at quarterback and home-field advantage, the Trojans are favored for a reason in this battle of top-15 historical powers.
CBS Sports will be here throughout the night with live updates, highlights and analysis as the Trojans and Irish battle each other in what should be a tremendous game to wrap up Rivalry Week.
