SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame withstood an inspired effort from USC before pulling away with 17 points in the fourth quarter Saturday night, as the Fighting Irish beat the rival Trojans, 41-31, at Notre Dame Stadium. The win keeps the Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes alive as they head into their bye week with a 6-1 record, though they don't quite look like a finished product just yet if they hope to finish 5-0 down the stretch.
What the win means for Notre Dame: Notre Dame’s playoff goal would have been all but officially dead with a second loss, so the victory Saturday keeps that dream alive.