Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/421584
GAME PREVIEW: USC finish the regular season 7-5. It pre- vented USC from winning a record ninth game in a row versus the Irish. In 2012, Notre Dame clinched a bid to the BCS National Championship Game with a 22-13 triumph at USC that included a late goal-line stand. There has never been more jubilation in the last 20 years of Notre Dame football than in that victory. Some might contend that Notre Dame caught a break in both games when USC starting quarterback Matt Barkley was unable to play because of an injury. In the Coliseum, every pos- sible break is needed. ROOKIE HAZING The Notre Dame-USC series has not been easy on first-year head coaches. Over the last 50 years, only two of Notre Dame's eight head coaches won their first meeting against USC, and both with late rallies in the Coliseum: Lou Holtz in 1986 (38-37) and Brian Kelly in 2010 (20-16). Predictions Douglas Farmer: Notre Dame 30, USC 24 If Notre Dame wants to avoid the most bitter of tastes in its mouth all winter, spring and summer, a win over USC is imperative. Furthermore, it is possible, despite the season's seeming downward spiral. The Irish are still among the country's more talented teams, and the trip to Los Angeles provides one last guaranteed chance to show that. Led by senior quarterback Everett Golson and sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith, they will. Tom Loy: Notre Dame 38, USC 34 The key for the Irish will be getting to USC quarterback Cody Kessler. When given time he can pick you apart, but if pressured Kessler makes questionable decisions and can be rattled. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will earn his paycheck this week. A third straight win over a major rival would go a long way in setting the tone that Notre Dame is a team to be feared in 2015. Andrew Owens: USC 34, Notre Dame 27 Beating USC on the road for the third straight time will be no easy task, especially with the issues that have plagued the Irish during most of the season's second half. Compared to Notre Dame senior quarterback Everett Golson, who turned the ball over 19 times in a seven-game stretch this season, USC signal-caller Cody Kessler's 29-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 10 games is as good as it gets. Advantage Trojans. Lou Somogyi: USC 38, Notre Dame 35 My preseason projection in the 2014 Football Preview was 9-3, with the losses coming either in the second half of the season in the road games versus Florida State, Arizona State and USC, or pulling off the upset in one of those games but getting clipped by someone else (though not Northwestern). Mental resolve will be a vital component, and if Notre Dame can come out ahead in the turnover stat, it's fully capable of winning this outing.