Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans game, Saturday, Oct. 18.

The No. 20 USC Trojans, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava, face the No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, led by quarterback CJ Carr, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Ind.

The No. 20 USC Trojans fell 34-24 to the No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night. The Trojans' inability to stop the run was a key factor in the loss. How does USC's defense move forward heading into its second bye week?

Bevacqua, a member of the CFP Management Committee alongside the 10 FBS conference commissioners, also advocated for a 16-team field over the summer and made it clear at the time that he opposed the idea of four automatic qualifiers for the Big Ten and SEC.

Just missing the bowl projections after Week 8: South Carolina, Penn State, Rutgers, Michigan State, Kennesaw State, Syracuse, UCF, Washington State, San Jose State, Bowling Green, Rice, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico, Arkansas State, Kansas State, Colorado, New Mexico State, Liberty, ULM, Wyoming, FIU, and Coastal Carolina.

Reminder: The 12-team CFP is made up of the five-highest ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams. First-round byes are no longer given to the four highest-ranked champs. In the new straight seeding format, byes go to the four highest-ranked teams.

Suffice it to say Notre Dame's tilt with 20th-ranked USC is an elimination game of sorts for the Irish, while the Trojans will have two additional opportunities at garnering a second ranked win the rest of the way after this weekend following their victory over Michigan.

Here is more on how Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love fared in Week 8 against USC, and how it compared to all-time Fighting Irish RB performances.