Fighting Irish vs. Trojan MAN!

[WayzUp]

I live a little less than an hour's drive away from South Bend & half of my wife's family are die-hard Irish fans. With all the success they've had this year under Charlie Weis's direction (it's virtually the same team Ty Willingham willed to a 6-6 record just last year) and the overly popular opinion that Southern Cal is going to drop a game sometime this year, every ND fan from here to Ireland think they're going to win this game.

I'm wondering what y'all think (if you do think about an Independant/PAC 10 matchup) about the outcome? I can't get an unbiased opinion on it from anyone up here for obvious reasons and while I have thoughts of my own on this game, I'd rather hear what those not-as-influenced have to say. :confused:

[GeorgiaPride]

I can give you my opinion as a gambler. The public is all over Notre Dame and I can tell you when the public is on ND this much, the real gamblers usually go the other way! My personal opinion is that Notre Dame should lose this game, we all just want them to win because we are tired of hearing about the great USC Trojans (not that they don't deserve it). But my wife is from South Bend and right after the UGA victory over the Vols, I went outside under my own power and put up here Notre Dame flag (I know I am disgusted with myself). This is the first time I have ever flown the Notre Dame flag since we have been married 5 1/2 football seasons. Needless to say she was SHOCKED.

[rabidcock]

USC will win.

[jneesy]

I can give you my opinion as a gambler. The public is all over Notre Dame and I can tell you when the public is on ND this much, the real gamblers usually go the other way! My personal opinion is that Notre Dame should lose this game, we all just want them to win because we are tired of hearing about the great USC Trojans (not that they don't deserve it). But my wife is from South Bend and right after the UGA victory over the Vols, I went outside under my own power and put up here Notre Dame flag (I know I am disgusted with myself). This is the first time I have ever flown the Notre Dame flag since we have been married 5 1/2 football seasons. Needless to say she was SHOCKED.

give me a map to your house and i'll take care of that ND flag for you ;)

[Jordan]

I think ND has a good shot at it, at least better than most teams this year. They have been explosive on offense, averaging almost as many yards per game as USC. With the defensive struggles USC has had, it might just be enough to give ND the opportunity they need to win it. The key to an ND win is going to definitely be time-of-possession. If they can keep the USC defense on the field, and the USC offense on the field as little as possible, then they have a shot.

This should be a great game, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the outcome.

[uscrebel]

give me a map to your house and i'll take care of that ND flag for you ;)


Hell, he is in Pinson. I think if you drive there you could probably ask anybody "Where's the house with the Notre Dame flag?" and they would be able to tell you...in quite colorful language. :D

[TNGator]

I think ND has a good shot at it, at least better than most teams this year. They have been explosive on offense, averaging almost as many yards per game as USC. With the defensive struggles USC has had, it might just be enough to give ND the opportunity they need to win it. The key to an ND win is going to definitely be time-of-possession. If they can keep the USC defense on the field, and the USC offense on the field as little as possible, then they have a shot.

This should be a great game, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the outcome.

I agree I think ND has a real shot to upset USC. If they don't no one in the regular season will. I think ND's offense will be able to score on USC. If USC continues the slow starts they've been having they may get to far down to quick in a hostile environment against a good coach. ND will be ready to play this game and if USC isn't 100% prepared lookout.

My prediction:
ND - 34
USC - 31
:eek:

[jneesy]

three cheers for old notre dame

[uscrebel]

After watching the UCLA/CAL game, this one is the one that worries me the most.

On paper, we are a better team in most areas. We outrun them 291 yds to 174 yds and outpass them 349 yds to 329 yds. Defensively, we are better, too, with 91 rushing yards allowed to ND's 116 and 246 passing yds allowed to 305. When they played Michigan, Hart was out and Mich gained a paltry 104 yards on the ground. Since he returned, he has had games of 222 yds (Wisc) and 116 yds. (Minn)

While they have 11 sacks on the season, 5 were against Pitt and 3 were against Washington...hardly overpowering O lines. They managed only one sack against Michigan St. and none against Purdue. It should be difficult for them to get to Leinhart, but I assume that they will once or twice.

The big difference in the game is likely to be special teams. When Orgeron was at USC, special teams play was competitive and usually was well-populated with starters. During the first few games of the season we have not seen that and teams have done well against us. In fact, the only statistical area in which we trail ND right now is kick coverage. Granted, we don't punt very often, but we will against ND and we DO kick off a lot. Most Trojans just cross their fingers when that happens.

I look for a close game in the 35 to 32 area with a special teams failure being the difference.

This one probably goes to ND, but the score works either way.

[uscrebel]

three cheers for old notre dame

Bite me!


:D :D

[palmettocock]

If USC is to lose this year in the regular season, it would be to Notre Dame. This year's version of Brady Quinn will certainly give Notre Dame a shot.

[thethrill]

I think this is probaly the toughest team USC has had to play this year. I think if they get behind by 2 or 3 tds in this one, its over. I know they are explosive but that crowd and the leperchans can carry ND. Both teams have good offenses and mediocre defenses, so it should be pretty high scoring. I haven't watched ND much this year, but in the past they haven't always had the most talent or speed but were disciplined and tackled well. Could be an upset, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[Cianne]

Touchdown Jesus carries the Irish.