Game thread | No. 5 Notre Dame at USC

No. 5 Notre Dame (10-1) at USC (6-5)

LA Memorial Coliseum| 3:30 p.m. ET | CBS | Line: Notre Dame -7.5 | Overall: 52.5

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Five players to watch

Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
Love continues to put on spectacular plays every week. In Notre Dame’s two biggest games, he delivered fourth-quarter touchdowns against Texas A&M and Louisville. He’s 150 yards away from a 1,000-yard season and it’s possible he could accomplish that against the Trojans.

USC RB Woody Marks
USC’s top running back is already over 1,000 yards. Marks has been extremely productive and also leads the team in receptions. Notre Dame needs to win at the line of scrimmage and keep Marks from having a big day.

Notre Dame Nickel Jordan Clark
Clark has been one of the best nickel defenders in the country and will go up against two of the Trojans’ explosive slot receivers. Zachariah Branch is always dangerous due to his speed and Makai Lemon has proven to be a major threat.

USC DE Kameryn Fountain
Much like Notre Dame’s Bryce Young, Fountain is a crazy athletic freshman who looks like a future star. He has started the last two games and had some impressive performances. He will be tested in this game by Notre Dame’s offensive line, which is playing its best game of the season.

Notre Dame DT Donovan Hinish
Hinish has made great strides in the absence of Howard Cross. We don’t know yet if Cross will be available in this game, but Hinish has earned opportunities regardless of whether Cross is healthy or not. He was a disruptive personality who excelled at stunts.

Quotes of the week

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“Our boys will understand the challenge that lies ahead. You don’t have to be in close games to feel the pressure to perform on this play. That’s why we coach the way we coach. There has to be pressure to make this move happen. Close games are won by making the move when it matters most. We try to create that type of mindset in practice and in games, no matter what the score is or who is in it, you have to do your job in that game.”

Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame offensive coordinator:
“I hope two things. I hope we give them the right plans where they feel like they can take it easy. Right, number one. And secondly, having talented players who do that. And hopefully we have a good mix of both. And the plans aren’t always perfect, but I know for sure that the kids really believe in what we do in the running game and how we do it. They know we’re going to work really hard to make sure we’re not outnumbered and we’re putting them in as advantageous a position as possible so they can get away and go after people.”

Al Golden, Notre Dame defensive coordinator:
“We never talked about playing differently, so I’m glad they want to play that way. Every defense has its own DNA. If that’s what ours becomes, then great. But that’s entirely up to the players. I know the standard, I know what the trainers teach and how it should look on tape. I really believe that none of this would happen without the guys from below.

“At the moment we have the lead, the boys are running to the ball and the boys are finishing. Sometimes the difference in defense is how well your defensive backs attack. And right now they’re leading by example, whether it’s corners, nickels or safeties. Don’t be afraid to throw it in there. They use great form, great technique, and that sets the bar high for your defense.”

Notre Dame DE Junior Tuihalamaka:
“It means a lot to me, especially playing in an environment with a lot of family members and growing up with a lot of people who love USC, especially my family,” Tuihalamaka said. “But we don’t like those guys over there.”

For your nerves

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