Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, on NBC
Irish to Watch: Senior RB C.J. Prosise
Notre Dame will undoubtedly test the Trojans' toughness and physicality in the run game, which is yielding 158.20 yards per contest. Prosise, 11th in the nation in rushing at 129.83 yards per game, has been Brian Kelly's featured back since starter Tarean Falston was lost for the season in the opening game. Prosise is a converted receiver, catching 29 passes last season to only 10 carries. Expect him to be a workhorse on Saturday with only a freshmen behind him on the depth chart.Click here for more on the Fighting Irish.
3 Keys
Play for Clay
The Trojans were not themselves in the Thursday night loss to Washington. When the offense watched the film, the coaches and players did not recognize the team on the field. To prove the performance was merely an aberration, USC needs an inspired effort in South Bend. That should not be a problem. With a fresh start under interim head coach Clay Helton and a raucous Notre Dame Stadium, emotion will be coursing through every Trojan.
Next Man Up
The Fighting Irish will not be feeling bad for the Trojans. Notre Dame has suffered a handful of key season-ending injuries, while USC has played with a mostly full deck until now. Toa Lobendahn will have to replace senior captain Max Tuerk at center, and the wide receiver group will be stretched thin by the losses of Isaac Whitney, Steven Mitchell Jr. and potentially Darreus Rogers. Rivalry games provide the stage for unlikely heroes, the Trojans will need one or two to come away with the Shillelagh.
That Old Chestnut
Helton admitted to being "blown away" by Notre Dame sophomore QB DeShone Kizer who has thrived despite starting the season as Malik Zaire's relatively raw and unknown backup. He presents the biggest dual threat challenge that USC has faced this season at quarterback. Kizer is an efficient thrower, 19th in the nation in passer rating (154.58), and a dangerous runner, scoring touchdowns with his feet in each of his last three games. Justin Wilcox's defense has posted back-to-back solid performances, but Notre Dame ranks ninth in the nation in yards per play (7.22).
