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.

Notre Dame is one win away from the College Football Playoff. Follow along as they go for it today in Los Angeles

Nov 23, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jacolby George (3) scores a touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

SportsLine's model revealed its CFB picks and predictions for USC Trojans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish on CBS and Paramount+

Notre Dame's defense delivered big plays against USC to clinch a CFP berth, silencing critics with a statement win.

The Irish started off as the committees No. 10 team, then moved up to No. 8 in the second set of rankings. Notre Dame once again was the benefactor of teams around them taking another loss, and now sit at No. 6 in the third set, but No. 8 in the bracket.

No. 5 Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff with a 49-35 victory over Southern California for its 10th consecutive win

Christian Gray's 99-yard pick-6 with 3:39 remaining clinched No. 5 Notre Dame's 49-35 win over USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. With the victory, the Fighting Irish have locked up a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the USC Trojans in the final game of the regular season. Did the Irish clinch a berth in the College Football Playoff with the win over the Trojans? Where will they land in the latest rankings update?