Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/75050
1. USC NOV. 24 2011 record: 10-2 Last Meeting: USC 31, Notre Dame 17 (2011) Impact Player: WR Marqise Lee — The college football world knows all about quarterback Matt Quarterback Matt Barkley returned for his senior season to get a shot at the national title, and he has the horses to do it. Woods and Lee are only two of the talented options Barkley has at receiver. However, the running back position is as thin as it has been in a long time at USC. Senior Curtis McNeal and sophomore D.J. Morgan have to stay healthy throughout the season. Keeping Barkley healthy is also a top priority, which means finding a replacement for All-American left tackle Matt Kalil. Sophomore Aundrey Walker looks like he's earned that job after dropping 50 pounds to slim down to 6-6, 325 pounds this spring. Like the Sooners, the defensive line is the biggest potential question mark for the Trojans heading into the fall. The back end of USC's defense is stronger than Oklahoma's though. They return all seven starters there including a young and fast group of linebackers that are well suited to defend the pass against spread offenses. Spring Storyline: Injuries and a cautious coaching staff made for a somewhat uneventful spring for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Tro- jans. Kiffin's goal was to try to add depth at the tailback posi- tion, and he thought he found a solution in sophomore Tre Madden. The converted linebacker looked like he would give the Trojans a promising power option in the back- field until late in spring practice when he tore a ligament in his knee, putting him on the shelf for all of 2012. Barkley and receiver Robert Woods. Lee, a sophomore, could be the deep threat that puts the Trojans' offense over the top in 2012. He caught 73 passes for 1,173 yards as a true freshman and should be even better the second time around. Outlook: The NCAA bowl ban is over in Los Angeles, and the Trojans are looking to make up for lost time in 2012. USC quarterback Matt Barkley is 2-0 against Notre Dame while completing 43 of 64 passes (67.2 percent) for 604 yards with five touch- downs and one interception. PHOTO COURTESY USC JUNE/JULY 2012 77