USC @ Notre Dame preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2016 ) Notre Dame 27, Southern California 45

One of the highest-profile rivalries in college football will continue with its 91st edition Saturday when No. 16 Notre Dame hosts No. 10 USC. The Trojans won eight in a row in the series from 2002 to 2009, but haven't won two straight against the Fighting Irish since, something they can accomplish this year.

USC has been tied or trailed at the start of the fourth quarter in four of six games this season. The Trojans overcame a seven-point deficit in the final quarter last week against then-No. 23 Utah before holding on for a 28-27 victory when a two-point try by the Utes failed in the final seconds. Notre Dame hasn't faced that challenge in its victories, winning those five games by an average of 28 points, but the Fighting Irish came up short in its only meeting against a ranked opponent this season, losing 20-19 to then-No. 15 Georgia on Sept. 9. Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush sat out his team's last game against North Carolina two weeks ago because of a right foot injury, but coach Brian Kelly said earlier this week that Wimbush is 100 percent.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -3.5

ABOUT USC (6-1): The Trojans have a gifted ball carrier as well in Ronald Jones II, who also has four triple-digit rushing efforts this season. He's done big things against the Fighting Irish in his college career as well, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in last season's win, and carrying the ball six times for 73 yards in a 41-31 loss at Notre Dame as a freshman two years ago, giving him a 9.4 per-carry average against the Irish. USC quarterback Sam Darnold had his first interception-free game last week against Utah, but the preseason Heisman Trophy candidate had three more fumbles, giving him 10 on the season, the most in the FBS.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (5-1): Regardless of Wimbush's health and mobility, the Trojans can expect to see plenty of Notre Dame running back Josh Adams, who rushed for 180 yards on 17 carries in last season's 45-27 loss to USC. Adams surpassed that career high with 229 rushing yards earlier this season against Boston College and he's gone over the 100-yard mark in three other games this season, posting touchdown runs of 60 yards or more in all four triple-digit efforts. Georgia was able to slow Adams, however, limiting the junior to 53 yards on 19 carries for a 2.8 average.

EXTRA POINTS

1. No USC players are from Indiana, but 11 for Notre Dame went to high school in California.

2. USC has scored 93 of its 241 total points (38.6 percent) in the fourth quarter this season.

3. Notre Dame ranks ninth in the nation in turnover margin with 14 takeaways against eight turnovers.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 38, USC 31