USC @ Notre Dame

[USCChifan]

This should be a good game. The high-powered Notre Dame offense against USC's defense and running game. I'm a USC fan, so you probably know who I think will win....

 

[SHOGUN]

I hope the Trojans knock the piss out of Clausen en route to a blowout victory.

 

[Hasselbeck]

USC is going to blow these overrated scrubs out.

Trojans by 21+

 

[padman59]

Hopefully, Allen is back to full strength for this game. Hughes has done an admirable job the past couple of weeks though. I don't think ND will do very well if they can't run the ball effectively. I don't think Weis has much of a choice but to try to control the clock if the defense doesn't take a large step forward between now and then.

USC is going to blow these overrated scrubs out.

Trojans by 21+

I have to admit, I don't recall many unranked teams being called overrated.

 

[Irish]

ND is gonna get whooped. We arent there yet. Atleast not without Floyd.

 

[Woy]

USC blows these bums out.

 

[USCChifan]

USC's defense will hopefully shut down Jimmy Clausen. Though the bigger threat is IMO Michael Floyd.

 

[padman59]

USC's defense will hopefully shut down Jimmy Clausen. Though the bigger threat is IMO Michael Floyd.

I guess it's a good thing they don't have to worry about him. I think Tate might be able to cause some matchup problems with the way he's been moved around the last couple of weeks but not many. Southern Cal's defense is definitely capable of containing him though.

 

[trojan49er]

If Washington could do it, the Irish can do it, get ready to lose again!

Lets not kid ourselves here, USC lost to Washington when they were without their starting QB, and even then they had to fumble in the redzone over and over again to lose in a lackluster offensive showing that lacked any semblance of a passing game after the first quarter. USC has had a string of seasons where they overlook someone and lose one they should win...only problem for you guys is that USC doesnt overlook ND. The defense is still superb and the offense is back on track with Barkley at the helm. USC silences Lou Holtz

 

[Woy]

This game will be much closer than everyone thinks.

I'm predicting a 140 point win, so it should only be a 70 point one. :tongue:

On the bright side for you ND fans: http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/ncf/news/story?id=4556056

Not in time for this beatdown, but yeah.

 

[USCChifan]

Nick Perry will reek havoc on Jimmy Clausen and Notre Dame's O-Line.

 

[padman59]

Floyd back by Pitt will be huge.

Indeed. He might be back a week earlier against Navy according to the updated article.

 

[USCChifan]

Ronald Johnson will be back to play against ND. Matt Barkley will finally have his deep threat to throw to.

 

[Woy]

Floyd back by Pitt will be huge.

I honestly think if he's back to 100% by then or close to it, you'll blow out Pitt. Their pass defense is horrid, possibly more horrid than yours.

 

[USCChifan]

Best way to prepare for a game:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r76jhGAdxE&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - USC Trojans slip-and-slide at practice[/ame]

 

[padman59]

I saw that, but having him back by Pitt would be bigger, there is no point in stressing him for Navy. Pitt is underrated. I'm scared of them :O

Maybe. I'd like to see him out there against Navy in the first half only to help build a solid lead. If last year's game showed anything, it's that a few quick bounces can quickly turn the tide in one team's favor, similar to what they've already done against Ohio State earlier this season.

As for the game tomorrow, I'd like to see Kinnon Tatum's coaching rubbing off on the linebackers.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNRzg8HP-WA"]YouTube - 1995 Notre Dame vs. USC - Kinnon Tatum[/ame]

 

[FirstTimer]

USC by 10

 

[Hasselbeck]

This game will be much closer than everyone thinks.

Incorrect.

USC by 3 scores.

 

[Woy]

USC should win this game but Notre Dame might surprise they ass. Charlie Weis got them thinking they could win it.

Aren't all coaches supposed to do that?

 

[Woy]

Woy's Preview: #6 USC at #25 Notre Dame

Matt Barkley | 139.0 rtg., 63-107, 958 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Jimmy Clausen | 179.3 rtg., 100-148, 1544 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT

Joe McKnight | 67 carries, 473 yards, 6 TD
Armando Allen | 71 carries, 365 yards, 3 TD

Damian Williams | 24 catches, 359 yards, 1 TD
Golden Tate | 33 catches, 602 yards, 4 TD

USC defense | 8.6 PPG, 173.8 pass YPG, 64.8 rush YPG
Notre Dame defense | 23.8 PPG, 263.6 pass YPG, 139.6 rush YPG​

This is the year. We have a chance. Jimmy to Golden all day. Those are thoughts of most Notre Dame fans who are desperately wanting an Irish win over the rival Trojans.

Guess what? This isn't the year.

I applaud Notre Dame for their nice run so far this season, but let's look at who they played, shall we?

They opened up with Nevada, who statistically had one of the worst pass defenses in the nation last year. From there, they took on rival Michigan in Ann Arbor. Another horrible defense, Notre Dame's experience didn't prevail against the Wolverines and they have been the only team to defeat the Irish so far. And yes, this is the same Michigan team that lost to Michigan State and Iowa recently. Speaking of the Spartans, they were one overthrow away from losing to one of the worst teams in the Big Ten. Same with Purdue, who possibly IS the worst team in the Big Ten. A controversial and eventually game costing timeout call helped the Irish out. Washington might have defeated USC, but their defense is still bad. I think this game was the most impressive on the Irish's part, because that horrible defense made an incredible goal line stand that saved the game. The Huskies could have had some better play calling, but that's besides the point.

Now rolling in are the Trojans from Los Angeles. USC has gotten better after the loss to Washington, and Joe McKnight is finally looking like "the next Reggie Bush" as he was dubbed coming out of high school. This USC defense is the 4th ranked unit in the nation, a far cry from past defenses the Irish have faced. The Michigan State Spartans possess the toughest defense Notre Dame has faced this year - the 49th ranked unit. Their 22.8 PPG is a joke compared to the Trojans defense, who only allow 8.6 PPG and 238.6 YPG.

Now I'm going to be honest here: if Michael Floyd would play, I would give Notre Dame a chance. Floyd, in my opinion, is probably a top five receiver in the nation...when healthy. Unfortunately for the Irish and their fans, they will have to wait till possibly the Navy game for him to come back. That leaves Golden Tate as Jimmy Clausen's number one target, who is a mighty fine receiver himself. He's no Floyd, but he's really explosive and can make something out of nothing. However, he hasn't really faced a legit corner this season.

Matt Barkley will have to step up against an Irish defense who is ranked in the bottom half of yards allowed per game. If he can make a few big passes, it will really take the pressure of the running game. There are reports that Ronald Johnson will play in the showdown, a huge boost for the freshman quarterback. Johnson gives Barkley a deep threat - something that has killed the Notre Dame defense all year.

I expect the crowd to be rocking; I mean it's the USC game for crying out loud. But Pete Carroll will have his troops ready. Unless they haven't mowed the grass (2005 game reference), I expect the Trojans to come up victorious...by a huge margin. This Irish team is a lot better than last year's, that's a fact. However, they aren't good enough to beat a USC team yet, even one that I don't think will win the Pac-10. Weather might or might not be a factor, we will see.

USC 44, Notre Dame 20