Saturday’s game went beyond the rivalry and had major College Football Playoff implications. Notre Dame couldn’t afford a third loss, and USC’s Playoff odds dipped to 18 percent with its second defeat. USC had an opportunity to end its rival’s Playoff hopes and bolster its own, but instead heads home with regret and a pipe dream.

That first half didn't look like Notre Dame football, but given a chance to change that narrative at home against North Carolina State, Notre Dame did.