I'm the one who reposted Mike Tierney's pick on this game and as I read it, I'm like I totally agree with everything he is saying. Sorry Mike, me hopping on the bandwagon probably just jinxed this LOL. Never too proud to take others' advice if it stirs something. It may monsoon in South Bend tonight with winds (kinda miss Midwestern fall), so I'm surprised we still are getting 60+. It has dropped under at several books. Sometimes wonky weather can lead to high-scoring craziness, but I'll always go Under in them. I so remember Eagles 34, Lions 20 in a 2013 Philly blizzard. LeSean McCoy went crazy. Playing in snow/ice quite different than rain for a defender.

"Editors' note: This has been reposted -- Mike clearly meant Under originally but accidentally hit Over." With significant rain and wind in the forecast, USC will miss its around-the-clock sunny climate back home. Conditions would normally cause offenses to eschew the pass, but the Trojans' top two RBs are out. Walk-on RB King Miller surely earned a scholarship last week with an eye-popping showing against Michigan. An encore against Notre Dame's rugged defense is farfetched. QB Jaiden Maiava throws to stellar WRs, but the weather may interfere. The Irish should lean heavily on Jeremiyah Love, likely the first RB taken in the next NFL draft. By pounding him, the clock runs and could pave the way for an Under.

I kept waiting for this line to go down but it's moved to -10 at a couple of books, so I will settle for 9.5 with the Irish. I like Notre Dame in this spot and expect them to pull away in the second half behind running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who I think could both top 100 yards rushing on Saturday. There isn't much value taking ND at this number but I'll swallow it because I think the Irish roll at home.

Lincoln Riley's USC teams are a fade for me on the road until proven otherwise. Since last year, the Trojans are 1-6 ATS on the road, with only a cover by one point vs. UCLA in 2024. Notre Dame needs style points in a big way to be considered for College Football Playoff consideration after starting out 0-2. Since then, they’ve won their last four games by a combined 119 points! I think they take care of business in a big way once again. Notre Dame 37, USC 21.