SportsLine's model revealed its CFB picks and predictions for USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish on CBS and Paramount+

For the second time in six years, all that stands in Notre Dame’s way from a spot in the College Football Playoff is a road trip to rival USC.

USC football is a 7.5-point underdog to Notre Dame on Saturday. But not everyone is picking the Irish to win. On his show earlier this week, national college football analyst Josh Pate of CBS Sports picked the Trojans to upset their archrivals.

Records: USC 6-5 (4-5 Big Ten), Notre Dame 10-1, USC: QUESTIONABLE: DE Solomon Tuliaupupu (undisclosed) Notre Dame: QUESTIONABLE: DL Howard Cross III (sprained left ankle); DOUBTFUL: DT Jason Onye (personal); OUT: LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (sprained right knee), CB Benjamin Morrison (hip), DE Boubacar Traore (torn left ACL)

While Maiava has sparked back-to-back wins, the Trojans' offense — ranked 88th in rushing but 14th in passing — matches poorly against Notre Dame's secondary. On defense, USC’s struggles are obvious, especially against the pass, where it ranks 93rd nationally.

On Tuesday, the College Football Playoff committee released its latest set of rankings. Obviously, 6-5 USC was nowhere to be found in the top 25. To make matters worse for USC fans, Trojan archrival Notre Dame currently sits as the No.