Southern California @ Notre Dame preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2014 ) Notre Dame 14, Southern California 49

The USC-Notre Dame game is annually a highlight for each of the two programs, though the battle on the field is being overshadowed a bit by some off-the-field turmoil. The Trojans will play their first game under interim coach Clay Helton after the firing of Steve Sarkisian when they visit the Fighting Irish on Saturday.

Sarkisian is reportedly battling an alcohol addiction, and several alcohol-related incidents led to his being dismissed early this week. USC, which has dropped two of its last three games, is looking to move on quickly and the players are trying to keep the focus on the field. "Obviously, (Sarkisian's) dealing with some tough stuff right now, but I wish him nothing but the best,” Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler told ESPN.com “…We're still going to support him as he goes through the next steps he takes, but our main focus right now is getting back out there. We still have a game Saturday." Notre Dame bounced back nicely from its first loss by cruising past Navy 41-24 last weekend and is trying to stay in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -6.5

ABOUT USC (3-2): Kessler is coming off his worst performance of the season and was held to 156 yards passing with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 17-12 home loss to Washington last week. The Trojans averaged 46.8 points in their first four games but committed three turnovers and went 1-of-13 on third downs against the Huskies. Kessler was much sharper against the Fighting Irish last season, when he threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-14 USC win.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (5-1): The Fighting Irish are a different team than last season with DeShone Kinzer now guiding the offense at quarterback and C.J. Prosise stepping up as the lead running back. “For us, in particular, after getting beat last year out there, it's been one that we have really set our eyes on in terms of wanting to eradicate that in our minds in terms of that game itself,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters. Kinzer has thrown for at least one touchdown and rushed for one in each of the last three games and went 22-for-30 for 281 yards against Navy last week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Notre Dame (502.7) is trying to average over 500 yards of total offense for the first time since 1970.

2. The Fighting Irish have taken three of the last five in the series.

3. Kessler owns just two multi-interception games in his career.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 31, USC 24