Coach Lincoln Riley and No. 20 Southern California had little time to enjoy their big win over Michigan last week.
That is because the Trojans’ next test might be even tougher.
Southern California (5-1) will look to knock off a ranked opponent for the second week in a row when it faces No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) on Saturday evening in South Bend, Ind.
Riley said his players could not get comfortable after rolling to a 31-13 win at home over then-No. 15 Michigan. Jayden Maiava passed for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Trojans, and King Miller rushed for 158 yards and a score.
“Now, it’s on to the next,” Riley said. “When you play our schedule, there’s not too much time to celebrate. We know we’ve got another big football game coming up.”
The Trojans will play a Notre Dame squad that has won four straight contests after dropping its first two games of the season. The Fighting Irish allowed 98 points in their first three games combined, but they have allowed only 27 total points in their past three.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said the key to continued success will be physicality.
“This game’s going to be about velocity,” Freeman said. “I often say, ‘We got to get bloody.’ It’s got to be that type of mindset. This (has) got to be a physical, bloody game that isn’t about, ‘How can we outsmart them?’ This is going to be, ‘How do we outphysical this group, and how do we play with that mindset to win this game?'”
Maiava has passed for 1,852 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions for Southern California. His top target is Makai Lemon, a highly touted NFL prospect who has caught 44 passes for 682 yards and six touchdowns.
Notre Dame is led on offense by CJ Carr, who has passed for 1,622 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Fighting Irish feature a one-two punch in the backfield with Jeremiyah Love (530 rushing yards, eight TDs) and Jadarian Price (422 rushing yards, seven TDs).
This will be the 95th all-time meeting between the programs. Notre Dame leads the series 52-37-5, including a 29-13-2 advantage at home.
The teams met last season, with Notre Dame holding on for a 49-35 win on Nov. 30 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Price (111 rushing yards, 1 TD) and Love (99 rushing yards, 1 TD) led the Fighting Irish, and Lemon caught nine passes for 133 yards for Southern California.
Notre Dame knows it again will be a challenge to stop Lemon. The main reason: Lemon’s versatility in how he can beat a defense.
“You want to play zone, he’ll find a way to find open space,” Freeman said. “If you want to get on-body, what we call it, he can run by you. He can make you miss. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got great ball skills. There’s not a simple answer or solution to defending him.”
