Notre Dame vs. USC score, takeaways: Pair of pick sixes lift Fighting Irish, effectively punching CFP ticket
No. 5 Notre Dame defeated USC 49-35 on Saturday to put the program in prime position to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff next month. The Fighting Irish end the regular season with an 11-1 mark and are on the verge of reaching the CFP for the third time in program history.