GAME PREVIEW: USC
BY LOU SOMOGYI
THE NAVY HANGOVER
There might be certain intangible
advantages on USC's side entering
the Notre Dame game, even though
the Trojans are the ones coming off
an upset defeat to 17‑point underdog
Washington and have to fly cross‑
country for this game.
USC didn't have to play the previ‑
ous Saturday after hosting the Hus‑
kies on a Thursday night (Oct. 8).
A little extra rest never hurts in this
game, and seemed to help Clemson
early against Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, the fall semester
break is Oct. 17‑25, meaning that the
week prior is usually a busy time aca‑
demically.
However, USC's greatest ally in
this game might be what has become
known as "The Navy Hangover." It
is the residual effect from the men‑
tal and physical preparation required
against the triple option that carries
over into the following week in a neg‑
ative fashion.
In the eight seasons from 2007‑14,
Notre Dame has played some of its
worst football, or had some of its
more demoralizing losses, the week
following their encounter with the
Midshipmen:
• In 2007, after the 46‑44 triple‑
overtime loss to Navy that ended
Notre Dame's NCAA‑record 43‑game
winning streak against the Midship‑
men, the Irish were "softened up"
for Air Force, which won by a more
decisive 41‑24 margin.
• After nearly squandering a huge
lead before edging past Navy (27‑21)
in 2008, the Irish Senior Day the fol‑
lowing week was ruined with the ig‑
nominious loss to a 2‑8 Syracuse team
(24‑23).
• In 2009, the 23‑21 loss to the Mid‑
shipmen at home probably sealed
Irish head coach Charlie Weis' fate. It
also precipitated a four‑game losing
streak, including a 27‑22 setback the
ensuing week at Pitt.
TOP STOrylineS
Fifth-year senior quarterback Cody Kessler aver-
aged 290.6 yards and three touchdowns through
the air in the Trojans' first five contests.
PHOTO COURTESY USC
