USC vs. Notre Dame today: kickoff time, where to watch without spoilers, key players (Jeremiyah Love, Jayden Maiava), and why this rivalry still bites

Bassyonni

ago 9 hours

USC vs. Notre Dame

It’s rivalry night in South Bend as the USC Trojans visit the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the Jeweled Shillelagh. With both teams ranked and the quarterbacks in form, this edition promises tempo swings, red-zone drama, and a national spotlight that can tilt postseason paths.

When and where is Notre Dame vs. USC?

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame’s campus is on the north side of South Bend)

Where to watch USC Trojans football vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football

Primary broadcast: A national over-the-air network in primetime.
Streaming: The same network’s authenticated app/site and its companion standalone streaming option.
Radio: Team radio networks and satellite radio carry live audio.

Tip: If you use a live-TV streaming bundle, search your guide for “USC at Notre Dame” around 7:00 p.m. ET; pregame shows typically begin then. If you’re antenna-only, scan for your local affiliate of the major national network that carries Saturday night college football.

Why this matchup matters tonight

Ranking leverage: Both teams enter with one loss and top-25 status. A win keeps New Year’s bowl math—and an outside playoff conversation—alive.
Series temperature: Notre Dame has held the recent edge, but momentum has flipped multiple times over the last decade, often on special-teams swings or takeaway margins.
Coaching pressure points: Road composure for USC’s staff and situational defense for Notre Dame will be under the microscope late.

Spotlights: Jeremiyah Love and Jayden Maiava

Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB)
Explosive through the first cut and sturdy after contact, Love is the engine of Notre Dame’s balance. His usage tells you the game script: inside zone/duo to set the floor, then bounce or counter for explosives. In the red zone he’s a finisher, and his pass-pro has enabled deeper shot plays off play-action.

Jayden Maiava (USC QB)
A poised operator with live-arm touch, Maiava has cut turnovers while stretching the field. USC’s vertical concepts—slot fades, deep over routes—arrive after play-action and quick game establish rhythm. The key is keeping him clean: when interior pressure forces off-platform throws, USC’s drive efficiency dips.

Keys to the game

Early-down success
Notre Dame wants 2nd-and-manageable to protect its protection rules and keep the call sheet multiple. USC must win first downs with negative plays—tackles for loss and batted balls—to unleash simulated pressure.
Explosives vs. explosives allowed
Both offenses can hit chunk gains. The defense that turns 25-yard shots into eight-yard catches—by tackling in space—wins the math over four quarters.
Red-zone touchdown rate
Field goals won’t hold up if the other side finishes drives. Look for Notre Dame’s tight-end leaks and bunch picks; USC counters with high-low crossers and choice routes.
Hidden yards on special teams
Directional punting, fair-catch decisions inside the 10, and touchback discipline have swung this rivalry before. Expect a momentum-shifting return or pin-back to factor.

Matchups within the matchup

Notre Dame OL vs. USC interior rush: If the Irish keep the pocket firm, deep crossers open up. Any interior collapse compresses the field for Love and forces hurried reads.
USC WRs vs. Irish corners: USC hunts leverage with stacks and motions; clean releases equal shot plays. Press-man wins for Notre Dame flip the script to third-and-longs.
Tempo management: USC prefers pace when ahead; Notre Dame’s defense benefits from controlled drives. Watch substitution patterns after explosive plays.

Prediction temperature

This profiles as a one-score game decided by turnovers and red-zone execution. Lean to the home field if special teams are even; lean to USC if Maiava lands two explosives without a giveaway. The first team to 27 likely wins.

Quick answers fans are searching for

Where is Notre Dame? South Bend, Indiana; the game is at Notre Dame Stadium.
What channel is the USC game on tonight? A national broadcast network in primetime; check your local listings and your live-TV bundle’s main network feed.
How do I stream it? Use the network’s official app/site with a TV login, or its standalone streaming option.
Why is Matt Leinart trending today? The rivalry inevitably revives highlights and debates from Heisman-era showdowns; expect throwbacks and panel chatter throughout pregame.

Rivalry nights often come down to nerve and details. If Jeremiyah Love controls the down-to-down rhythm and Notre Dame wins special teams, the trophy stays in South Bend. If Jayden Maiava keeps the ball secure and USC’s receivers win outside, the Trojans have the firepower to quiet a loud stadium late.