In a bold projection that has already sparked debate among college football fans and analysts, Bud Elliott, senior college football analyst for CBS Sports, has forecast that the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face each other in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

Here is how my 5 bold predictions for the Trojans ' Week 11 game against Northwestern fared:

A Trojans reserve quarterback executed a fake punt while wearing the same number as the team's regular punter.

The teams last met in the 1996 Rose Bowl, which the Trojans won 41-32. The Trojans are 14.5-point favorites in the latest Northwestern vs. USC odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 50.

No. 9 NC State collapsed in the fourth quarter against No. 18 Southern Cal, as the Trojans ripped off an 8-0 run in the last four minutes to take down the Wolfp

The No. 18 Trojans face the No. 9 Wolfpack at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN, with both teams coming off season-opening victories. Here's how to watch for free.