USC football morning report: Notre Dame just wants to win

Quote of the day: “They’re excited to play USC, but I think they just want to win a football game.”

-- Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly

USC plays Notre Dame on Saturday at the Coliseum.

The Trojans fell to 7-4 overall and 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference after a 38-20 defeat by UCLA last Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

The loss knocked USC out of contention for the Pac-12 South title.

Notre Dame is 7-4 after starting the season on a six-game win streak.

The Irish have lost four of their last five, including a 31-28 defeat to Louisville last Saturday in South Bend, Ind.

In The Times:

• USC and Notre Dame are in same leaky boat
• Why Sam Handler stood ground for UCLA logo during the USC marching band’s pre-game performance
• Can high school athletes succeed playing multiple sports?

Questions about USC? Email me at LNThiry@gmail.com or tweet@LindseyThiry and I will respond to select messages in a weekly USC Now mailbag.