Notre Dame (6-5) at Southern Cal (9-1)
One of college football’s best rivalries has become very lopsided very quickly, so is there really any reason to think that Notre Dame, a team that just lost at home to Syracuse, can beat Southern Cal on Saturday night?
Oddsmakers don’t think so, as the Trojans are 32-point favorites on WagerWeb.com in what could be Irish coach Charlie Weis’ final game – although a 6-6 Irish team still could head to a bowl game.
The Trojans have won six in a row in this series while averaging 41.0 points in those games. Last year’s 38-0 USC win was the most lopsided in the series, so it’s only getting worse for the Irish. And USC’s defense has allowed 46 total points in the past seven games this season, all wins. The Trojans have been, frankly, unreal since losing to Oregon State. USC is 12th out of 119 major-college teams in scoring offense, first in scoring defense and second in total defense.
If Notre Dame has ANY shot, it will have to hit on some big plays, because the inconsistent Irish offense will not be turning in any long, ball-control drives. In 127 drives against USC’s defense this year, opponents have moved 50 yards or more just 14 times.
“You’re going to need some big plays with as salty as they are on defense,” Weis said. “You have to try to play ball control, but you’re going to need some people to make some big plays. The games that [USC] either lost [or were] close were games where there were some big plays made.”
Notre Dame has 22 pass plays of 30 yards or more this season, and WR Golden Tate has accounted for 13 – so he likely will have to go off on Saturday to keep this game close.
On defense, Notre Dame is improved this year, ranking 22nd in the nation against the pass, yielding only 176 yards and 10 touchdowns. But the Irish were gouged on the ground by Syracuse, and USC has about six high school All-Americans at tailback. The Trojans are focusing on the run this year. Need an example? With two regular-season games remaining, QB Mark Sanchez has thrown 267 passes. Two years ago, quarterback John David Booty threw 324 passes through his first 10 games.
If Notre Dame loses Saturday and Weis subsequently loses his job, that will mean three of the last four Irish coaches saw their tenures end against USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
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