USC Football: Trojans-Notre Dame Clash Amongst Most-Viewed Games Of Week 7

Many fans across the nation witnessed another chapter of USC and Notre Dame's storied rivalry in primetime in Week 7. 

The Fighting Irish dominated from start to finish as the Trojans' bid at an undefeated season went up in smoke by halftime. 

Just one game during the week had more eyes on it as the Men of Troy's first loss of 2023 checked in as the second most viewed contest last Saturday. 

Washington and Oregon played an absolute thriller as Michael Penix Jr. appeared to surpass Caleb Williams as the leading Heisman candidate this year. 

Bo Nix and the Ducks gave the Huskies all they could handle but it was the lefty QB who prevailed in an instant classic matchup between the two Pac-12 heavyweights. 

Both teams checked in as undefeated Top 10 teams but after this weekend only Washington can claim the honor as they now rank as the fifth best team in the country. 

Oregon only dropped one spot due to the margin of their loss but the same cannot be said for the Men of Troy. 

Notre Dame leapfrogged the Trojans with their victory over USC and now ranks three spots above them as the 15th team in the nation. 

USC now sits 18th in the AP Poll as Oregon State and Utah join the participants from last week's most viewed game as teams ahead of Southern Cal in the Pac-12 standings. 

Not only did USC's national championship hopes dwindle with their loss to Notre Dame but all signs now point to missing out on this year's Pac-12 championship as well. 

Failure to even reach similar heights to last season let alone surpass them doesn't bode well for Lincoln Riley as more critics target him for his shortcomings at USC. 

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