USC vs Notre Dame Predictions & Props – Top Picks for CJ Carr, Jayden Maiava & More

• USC and Notre Dame battled for the Jeweled Shillelagh in South Bend
• The loser could be eliminated from serious CFP contention
• Read below for my USC vs Notre Dame predictions as well as the best props to take for this rivalry game

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For the 96th time, USC and Notre Dame battle on the gridiron. No.20 USC (5-1) is coming off a massive win over a ranked Michigan team to launch the Trojans back into College Football Playoff contention. No.13 Notre Dame (4-2) has rattled off four wins in a row since its uncharacteristic 0-2 start.

Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend plays host at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, Oct. 18, on an NBC broadcast. I have made my USC vs Notre Dame predictions, plus laid out five prop bets to consider for this top-25 showdown.

USC vs Notre Dame Predictions

• Notre Dame 38, USC 35 (OT)

Total: Over 60.5 (-105, BetMGM)

While both USC and Notre Dame have reasonable defenses, both teams have some truly outstanding offensive talent. I expect the over to be cleared, perhaps easily. I would look at USC’s 34-32 loss to Illinois and Notre Dame’s 41-40 loss to Texas A&M as guidelines for this game.

Both teams are in the top 15 in FBS in scoring average. USC averages a ridiculous 45.5 points per game (third) while Notre Dame averages a clean 40.0 points per game (14th). Offense will come early and often, and both teams have explosive playmakers, which I will cover in the prop section.

Spread: USC +10 (-110, BetMGM)

In a game with overtime potential, I will take the underdog Trojans with the points. Notre Dame has been a buzzsaw in recent weeks, wining each of its last four games by at least 21 points, but USC is a step up in completion from Purdue, Arkansas, Boise State, and North Carolina State.

Even if Notre Dame is in control, USC’s explosive offense offers plenty of backdoor covering potential in the event Notre Dame is up between 11 and 17 points late in the game. USC has scored at least 31 points in all six games this season.

USC vs Notre Dame Props to Bet

• Jayden Maiava Over 275.5 Passing Yards (-114, FanDuel)

Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing, yards per pass, yards per completion, and passing yards per game. He has exceeded 275.5 yards in four of six games, including two of four Power 4 games.

Maiava’s 300+ yard prop (+146 odds) could also be worth a sprinkle. He threw for 364 yards in USC’s loss to Illinois and 412 yards in USC’s clobbering of Georgia Southern.

• CJ Carr Anytime Touchdown (+230, FanDuel)

CJ Carr has only scored one rushing touchdown this season (Week 1), but with the expectation that this is a barnburner of a scoring effort, it is worthwhile taking either quarterback for an anytime touchdown.

USC has allowed the opposing quarterback to score a touchdown in three of six games. Illinois’ Luke Altmyer even managed to score twice including a Philly Special touchdown catch.

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer vs USC:

🔶 20/26
🔶 328 Pass Yards
🔶 2 Pass TDs
🔶 1 Rush TD
🔶 1 REC TD pic.twitter.com/n5MA4ZszZA

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 27, 2025

• Ja’Kobi Lane Under 53.5 Receiving Yards (-115, Caesars)

Ja’Kobi Lane is a great receiver. However, he draws perhaps the most difficult matchup in the country in Leonard Moore. Moore has been ridiculous in two seasons in South Bend. For his career, he has allowed a 50.0 passer rating, picking off five passes and swatting away another nine.

This season, he has allowed 22.3 yards per game in coverage, holding offenses to a 47.8 rating. He has an utterly ridiculous 90.3 PFF coverage grade in 159 coverage snaps. With this in mind, expect the passing offense to flow through other Trojans. Speaking of…

• Makai Lemon 100+ Receiving Yards (-102, FanDuel)

Lemon might be the best receiver in college football, not named Jeremiah Smith. Usually, this means he would draw Moore on the other side, but Lemon does his best work in the slot. Moore, as great as he is, has only played 13 snaps in the slot this season.

Rick Neuheisel compares USC WR Makai Lemon to Puka Nacua 😳

Too soon… or spot on? 👇#USC | #FightOn | #CFB pic.twitter.com/7dKkZojXbe

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) October 17, 2025

Lemon will likely get a hefty amount of Dallas Golden. Golden has allowed a 119.6 passer rating while defending the slot. Lemon, meanwhile, has 25 catches for 469 yards and five touchdowns while in the slot. He has a massive 93.5 receiving grade.

For those interested in ladder bets, Lemon could be worthwhile taking at 125+ (+194 odds) or even 150+ (+360 odds). Lemon has had 125 or more yards three times and 150 or more yards twice this season.

• Jeremiyah Love 25+ Receiving Yards (-102, FanDuel)

Similar to Lemon, Love has excellent ladder bet potential. His receiving total (on FanDuel) is set at 22.5 yards. While he has only eclipsed that three times, he has games of 70 yards, 53 yards, and 26 yards to offer some high-end potential.

USC has a solid enough run defense, allowing just over 100 yards per game. In a particularly high-scoring game, I expect Notre Dame to be forced to throw the ball. Love is the best bet out of the backfield to get production. I would be comfortable putting Love in a a receiving yards ladder up to 50 yards.

USC vs Notre Dame Betting Odds