No. 5 Notre Dame beats USC, eyes playoff bye

(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Despite surrendering a season high in points, No. 5-ranked Notre Dame's defense came through in the clutch with pick-sixes of 99 and 100 yards, and the Fighting Irish closed the regular season with their 10th consecutive win in a 49-35 defeat of host USC on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Notre Dame (11-1) pulled ahead by two touchdowns late in the third quarter when Riley Leonard connecte