NCAAF Picks: Trojans Try To Add To Notre Dame’s Skid

NCAAF Picks:  The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have never recovered from their near miss loss at Florida State where they had the game winning TD called back in the final seconds.  The USC Trojans were humiliated against arch rival UCLA last week which has immediately cast doubts over first year head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The USC Trojans will host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday with coverage on FOX staring at 3:30 PM ET.   USC opened as a seven point favorite.

Irish Eyes not Smiling

Notre Dame is 7-4 straight up, 5-6 against the spread and 6-5 over the total.  The Irish are coming off a 31-28 home loss to Louisville which was their third consecutive SU defeat and their fourth consecutive failure to get the money.  Notre Dame ranks 32^nd in the nation for total offense and 58^th for total defense.  The Irish woes have been blamed on a youthful roster going through the pains of on the job training but others are beginning to question the effectiveness of head coach Brian Kelly who is now in his fifth season.  Outside of the 2012 berth in the BCS Championship Game the Irish have done little to inspire hope for a return to national glory under Kelly.

Trojans go Bust

USC is 7-4 SU, 6-5 ATS, and 4-7 under the total.  The Trojans are coming off a 38-20 loss at UCLA for their third loss against the spread in their last four games.  USC ranks a mediocre 40^th for total offense and 36^th for total offense.  The defense is even worse ranking 73^rd overall.  Sarkisian has the nickname “Seven Win Sark” from his days at Washington and that is now starting to become a source of irritation for Trojans fans.

Our Pick

Notre Dame has been below par on the road as of late.  The Irish have paid out in just four out of their last nine away matchups with eight out of their last 13 away games going under the total.

USC has improved as a home betting value with seven payouts in their last 11 home games.  The Men of Troy have gone under the total in 14 out of their last 20 home games.

Notre Dame has had the hot had against USC as of late.  The Irish have paid out in four out of their last five games against the Trojans with the last four meetings going under the total.  The Irish have covered the spread in their last two visits to USC with both games going under the total.

We’ll call for Notre Dame and under the total.