The Notre Dame Fighting Irish return home to South Bend on October 18, 2025, with a sense of focus and confidence as they prepare for one of college football’s most storied rivalries against the USC Trojans. Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Irish have continued to build an identity around physicality, discipline, and execution, blending old-school toughness with modern offensive flexibility. Quarterback CJ Carr, the latest in a long line of talented Notre Dame signal-callers, has brought poise and command to the offense, efficiently managing games while showing the arm strength to challenge defenses downfield. Carr’s connection with receivers Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse has added dimension to a passing attack that complements Notre Dame’s trademark power running game. In the backfield, Jeremiyah Love remains the centerpiece of the offense, running behind one of the nation’s most cohesive and experienced offensive lines. The Irish thrive when they establish tempo through the ground game, forcing defenses to crowd the box and opening up play-action opportunities for Carr to exploit downfield. Expect Notre Dame to lean on its physical offensive front to wear down USC’s defensive line, which has struggled in recent years against power-oriented teams. If Love and the Irish running backs can consistently churn out yardage on early downs, Notre Dame will be able to dictate pace and keep USC’s explosive offense on the sideline. Defensively, the Irish bring a blend of experience and explosiveness that has been the cornerstone of their success this season.

The defensive line, anchored by Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, excels at collapsing pockets and controlling interior gaps, setting the tone for a unit that prides itself on limiting big plays. Linebackers Jack Kiser and JD Bertrand provide veteran leadership and outstanding instincts, often diagnosing plays before they fully develop. On the back end, cornerback Benjamin Morrison and safety Xavier Watts form one of the nation’s most formidable defensive duos, combining exceptional coverage skills with playmaking instincts that have turned momentum in Notre Dame’s favor multiple times this season. Their assignment will be challenging—containing USC’s vertical passing game led by Jayden Maiava and Zachariah Branch—but the Irish defense has proven capable of rising to the occasion in high-pressure environments. Special teams could also play a major role, with Spencer Shrader’s reliable leg and a disciplined coverage unit giving Notre Dame a potential edge in field position battles. Ultimately, Notre Dame’s formula for victory remains clear: control the clock with its run game, stay disciplined defensively, and capitalize on USC’s occasional lapses in ball security and tackling. Under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, with the energy of a playoff-like atmosphere fueling them, the Irish will look to combine physical dominance and precise execution to not only defend their home turf but also make a statement that their balanced, fundamentally sound approach can still triumph over even the most explosive offenses in the country.