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College football 2019: Biggest trap game facing every Top 25 team

By Cody Williams

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Biggest Trap Game: vs. USC (Oct. 12)

At least for the regular season, 2018 looked like a dream year for Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They fought off all comers, some in more dramatic fashion than others, and ended the regular season with a perfect 12-0 mark. That earned a spot in the College Football Playoff — but they were met there by the juggernaut Clemson Tigers, who ran them off the field en route to the title.

Coming off of that overall successful season, though, the Fighting Irish now have back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins and reason to believe a third could be coming in 2019. Quarterback Ian Book provided both stability and upside at the position last season and, though he’s losing some talented players like Dexter Williams and Miles Boykin, Chase Claypool and co. give him the necessary weaponry and the Irish have one of the best offensive lines in the country.

Though the defense lost stars like Julian Love, Jerry Tiller, Te’von Coney and others, they are still expected to be a strong group ready for a next-man-up mentality. Led by pass-rusher Julian Okwara, they should have plenty of firepower still on that side of the ball.

An October matchup against USC may be a rivalry matchup at home for Notre Dame but it is indeed a trap game. Not only are the Trojans inferior to the Fighting Irish but Kelly’s team also has a bye week and then a road matchup against Michigan looming after. With rest and a high-profile game after, taking on the Trojans with anything but focus could result in disaster for the Irish.