(Notre Dame) — As #13 Notre Dame begins preparations for archrival USC (ranked #20), the Irish will be without their starting center.

Head coach Marcus Freeman announced Monday that Craig is out for the season with a left knee injury. It’s the second consecutive season Craig has been sidelined with an injury to that knee, tearing his ACL last year against Purdue.

“Your thoughts go to the young man who worked so hard from last year after three games to get himself back into the position he was in this year,” Freeman said. “He was playing extremely well for us. It’s just unfortunate for him. You just feel bad for the kid, but we’ll be good. We have to continue to move forward.”

Craig’s spot will likely be taken by Joe Otting, a 6-4, 308-pound redshirt sophomore. Otting filled in for Craig Saturday, making the snaps on Notre Dame’s final touchdown drive in the 36-7 win over North Carolina State.

“There’s a lot of confidence in Joe Otting,” Freeman said. “I probably had more confidence evaluating this last game when he had to step up and go in there and get his job done. He did a really good job.”

The Irish will face their stiffest challenge of the month with the visit from the Trojans, who topped then 15th-ranked Michigan last Saturday night at the Coliseum.  Lincoln Riley’s team is 5-1, with its only loss coming at the gun at Illinois in late September.

“Their offense is #1 in the country in yards per game and it’s a balanced attack,” admits Freeman. “Starts with the quarterback (Jaiden Maiava) who’s playing well. #6 (Makai Lemon) is a dude. Plays the game the right way. It will be a challenge for our defense.”

There has been talk that the rivalry — now in its 100th year –may be coming to an end. Both sides are talking about extending the contract, but nothing has been announced yet. Nevertheless, Freeman made his wishes clear again Monday.