FPI projects Notre Dame-USC outcome
As frustrating as Notre Dame has been through the first six games of 2021 I feel safe in stating a few things about them:
They’re a good but not great team
Their flaws being as obvious as they are frustrating to see because they’ve been evident almost weekly
Like the majority of the time since 2017, this team is going to win a lot simply because they rarely do something to beat themselves (Cincinnati game obviously withstanding)
With all of that in mind, and the fact that the rival USC Trojans are just 3-3 and again playing under an interim head coach as they travel to South Bend, it’s not a surprise to see Notre Dame as an overwhelming favorite in Saturday’s game according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
FPI Projection: Notre Dame 77.3% chance to win
I will note that I find the FPI rankings system to be largely absurd but do find value in their individual game projections the deeper into the season we get.
A win would give Notre Dame their fourth-straight over the Trojans which would be the longest winning streak for the Irish since taking 11-straight from 1983-1993.
Related:
Experts make Notre Dame-USC predictions
Notre Dame-USC: Fun facts from epic college football rivalry
