Josh Pate puts Notre Dame on upset alert against USC
By Mark Kern
Published:
Josh Pate has become a big part of ESPN’s college football coverage this season, appearing on multiple shows as a guest.
On Thursday, he went on Get Up to break down one of the biggest games of the weekend — a top-25 matchup between USC and Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish almost certainly have to win out this year to make it to the College Football Playoff, and the game against the Trojans could be the last opportunity for Notre Dame to beat a ranked opponent in the regular season.
The Fighting Irish are a big home favorite in this game, but Pate believes the Irish are in danger of being upset.
“Let’s just appreciate it’s pre-Halloween and we are already talking about elimination time for Notre Dame,” Pate said. “There is a big question right now about whether Notre Dame has really resurrected their defense because it was God-awful the first few weeks of the season.”
Pate said USC beating Notre Dame in a physical fight — the kind of game Notre Dame would normally expect to beat USC in — would be a signature moment for Lincoln Riley.
“USC last week looks like they may have made a statement against Michigan. I just think it was a big win,” Pate said. “The statement would be USC turning that (physicality) narrative on its ear. … All of a sudden, USC is right on the Playoff radar, which we haven’t said for a while.”
The Trojans entered a huge year in the Riley era, and so far, they are delivering. It is only Oct. 16, but both of these teams have a huge opportunity ahead of them on Saturday against their rival.
The Fighting Irish have looked much better each week, but they haven’t played a team close to USC’s level since a Week 2 loss to Texas A&M. The Trojans got the big win last week against Michigan, but going on the road to Notre Dame is a different animal.
USC went to the Midwest once earlier this year and lost to Illinois.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. USC is a 9.5-point favorite, per BetMGM.
