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The undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-0) need one win over their rival, the USC Trojans (7-4), to reach the BCS National Championship Game and oddsmakers are making them the favorites to do so. Notre Dame opened as an early four-point favorite against USC for Saturday's game in Los Angeles.
The Irish have made it through the season undefeated and hold the No. 1 BCS ranking, but still face a tough task against the rival Trojans. USC has won nine of the last ten meetings between the two schools, but Notre Dame did beat the Trojans 20-16 the last time the two teams met in Southern Cal.
USC will be without star quarterback Matt Barkley, who suffered a sprained shoulder in the Trojans loss to UCLA, which should help the No. 1 ranked Notre Dame defense slow the USC offense.
The Irish are 6-5 against the spread on the season, while the Trojans are just 3-8 and have lost three of their last four games overall.