Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/187176
Game Preview: USC Dame Stadium: 2003 (45-14), 2005 (34-31), 2007 (38-0), 2009 (34-27) and 2011 (31-17). The last time Notre Dame vanquished the Trojans at home was in head coach Bob Davie's final season and USC head coach Pete Carroll's first year, a 27-16 victory in 2001. It was one of the Irish highlights of a disappointing 5-6 season that saw Davie get fired shortly after the final game. Much of this comes down to where USC's head is while searching for a new head coach. The last time Notre Dame faced a team that had just fired its coach and had an interim figure — Miami in the 2010 Sun Bowl — it was evident early on that the Hurricanes didn't have their mind on the game. The Irish took a 14-0 lead after two possessions, were up 27-3 at halftime and cruised to a 33-17 win. On Sept. 28, Notre Dame's 10-game winning streak at home — tied for the third longest in the 84-year history of Notre Dame Stadium — was snapped by Oklahoma. Starting a new winning streak while ending a dubious one to the Trojans at the same time would apply some salve to Notre Dame's sputtering start in 2013. ✦ Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 38, USC 17 Notre Dame fans can rest assured that despite the early-season struggles, things aren't as bad as they are at USC. That program is in disarray, leading to the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin. USC will arrive initially fired up, but that won't last long. Look for Notre Dame to cruise to victory in this rivalry matchup and end the home losing streak to the Trojans. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 33, USC 17 The improved running game will face a slightly stiffer test against the Trojans and their five-man defensive front. Nonetheless, if the Irish can snap into grind mode again and wear down a group of USC linebackers built to compete with speed, they can pull away in the second half of this game. Sometimes a coaching change can add energy to a locker room, but USC needs a little longer to figure out its identity without Lane Kiffin. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 28, USC 20 Anyone who thinks USC will be a pushover should take a look at the recent series history. The Irish haven't beaten the Trojans at home since 2001 and came out flat in a disappointing 31-17 loss in the last game at Notre Dame. This game is unique in that USC already axed its head coach, but expect the Trojans to play inspired football. Unfortunately for them, it won't be enough against an improving Irish running attack. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 24, USC 17 A similar score to the last time Notre Dame won at home versus the Trojans (27-16 in 2001). This is one of those games where you want to deliver an early jolting punch, if not a knockout, otherwise confidence might grow on the USC sidelines as the game progresses. Never, ever underestimate the physical talent level at USC. This game will be determined much more by what's between the ears and in the chest.