Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/193620
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 while making 30 tackles in the first six games. Much of the pressure will fall on the USC pass rush, which stood as the 13th-best unit in the country with 18 sacks through six 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 3 of 8 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 last November by making 5 of 6 field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder to end the first half. Advantage: Even Freshman safety Su'a Cravens, the 2012 USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year on the high school level, started each of USC's first six games and compiled 31 tackles (0.5 for loss) and two interceptions. photo by John Pyle/courtesy usc 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 currently own the nation's 69th-best pass defense (233.2 yards allowed per game). 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 Coaching The trip to Notre Dame Stadium will mark 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 ✦ Page 4 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 Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 34, USC 24 Notre Dame fans can rest assured that despite the early-season struggles in South Bend, 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 defeat its rival and end the home losing streak to the Trojans. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 33, USC 17 The Irish running game will have a slightly stiffer test against the Trojans and their five-man defensive front than recent weeks. 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. Ed Orgeron added a spark to the Trojans' locker room last week, but the honeymoon won't last forever. 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.