Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/187176
Game Preview: USC fired, ranking as the nation's No. 15 unit. A year ago, USC allowed 167.0 rushing yards per game — the program's worst output since 1996 — and Notre Dame gained 222 yards against the Trojans in its 22-13 victory. Much of the improvement is due to the three returning starters along the defensive line and two among the linebacking corps. The front seven is highlighted by sophomore defensive end Leonard Williams, who has built upon an excellent 2012, when he finished with 64 total stops and 13.5 for loss. Advantage: USC Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. USC Pass Defense The home matchup against the Trojans will mark senior quarterback Tommy Rees' third career start against USC. He struggled in his previous two outings (a 20-16 win at USC in 2010 and a 31-17 home loss in 2011), and the Trojans owned the 43rd-best pass defense through five games while allowing 207.2 yards per game through the air. Rees turned the ball over four times against USC in 2010 and once more in 2011. In the latter, former Irish quarterback Dayne Crist (in relief of Rees for a series due to a knee injury) and former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood committed the more costly turnovers. The Trojans secondary entered 2013 with a mostly inexperienced unit, returning only senior cornerback Torin Harris and junior strong safety Dion Bailey. After playing linebacker the past two seasons (he finished third on the team with 80 tackles in 2012), Bailey has transitioned to safety in his third year as a starter and intercepted two passes in the first five games. Much of the pressure will fall on the USC pass rush, which stood as the fifth-best unit in the country with 16 sacks through five games. Advantage: Even Special Teams As is the case in many categories this season, USC has been mediocre on special teams, even with Lee as the kick and punt returner. Junior kicker Andre Heidari missed three of his seven field goal attempts to begin his third season as a starter. Atkinson III's 96-yard kick return for a touchdown sparked an otherwise lifeless team against USC in the eventual 31-17 loss in 2011. Notre Dame has not received a game-changing play from either return unit since that evening two years ago. Junior kicker Kyle Brindza starred at the Coliseum a year ago by making five of six field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder to end the first half. Advantage: Even Coaching The trip to Notre Dame Stadium will mark USC interim head coach Ed Orgeron's second game at the helm of the program after taking over for Kiffin. He coached as a USC assistant from 1998-2004 before earning the head coaching spot at Ole Miss. He was fired after three seasons and returned to the Trojans in 2010. Even if Orgeron is not an option to assume the position permanently, the rest of the season is a tryout for future job offers from other programs. Expect Orgeron to go all-out in trying to secure the program's sixth straight win in South Bend. Advantage: Notre Dame Intangibles The short-term trajectory of programs after firing coaches midseason is unpredictable. While some flail to the finish line, others, such as the 2008 Syracuse team that beat Notre Dame 24-23, play their most inspired football of the year. Finally defeating USC at home would be another step in the right direction for Kelly's program and another step away from previous regimes. If the Irish can't beat USC after it fired Kiffin and has already been embarrassed a couple times in 2013, then the rest of the season looks bleak for Notre Dame. Advantage: Notre Dame