Notre Dame is fired up.

The Fighting Irish are fighting for a spot in a New Year’s 6 bowl against a USC squad that is hanging on for dear life to College Football Playoff hopes. A big key to winning for the Fighting Irish is tight end Michael Mayer. No, not that one.

Mayer has been one of the top tight ends in college football this season and just caught a pass to pull it within single digits.

There were some expletives thrown by some of the Notre Dame players immediately thereafter.

Notre Dame trails USC 10-7 just before the end of the first half. The Trojans, should they win the Pac-12, are likely in the College Football Playoff field. A loss to Notre Dame effectively ends their chances.

Buckle up.