Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/94187
GAME PREVIEW: USC kley's NFL stock dropping, the de- fense setting records of futility and recording the second-most penalties (88) in the nation through 10 games. The off-the-field embarrassing antics last nationally in turnover margin. During its 7-3 start this season, that also defined his one-year career at Tennessee have included lying about his coaches' poll vote, a duplicitous number change to trick Colorado, ban- ning a local beat writer for accurate reporting and a team student manager getting nailed for putting in under- inflated footballs against Oregon. However, sometimes, the belea- guered coach can be the most danger- ous opponent Notre Dame can con- front. The pivotal issue here will be how USC's 26 turnovers (13 fumbles and 13 interceptions) were eclipsed by only six others in the 120-team Football Bowl Subdivision. Meanwhile, Notre Dame had only 13 total turnovers dur- ing its 10-0 start. Notable about the Trojans, though, is they also forced 28 turnovers — the sixth most in the country. The same goes for penalties. USC's 88 infractions (732 yards) are the sec- ond most nationally, but opponents also have committed 85 (735 yards) against them. In its five road games this season, stoked will USC be after having dreams of a national title end prior to November. There usually is an initial surge of energy at the beginning … but if the ball starts bouncing against them, how do they react? can just beat themselves, as Notre Dame often did last season, finishing Some teams just lose, while others TURNOVERS/PENALTIES Notre Dame has had only three turn- overs, with none against Michigan, Miami and Oklahoma. In penalties on the road, Notre Dame has averaged 4.6 for 33.2 yards, highlighted by only one for five yards at Oklahoma. It did, though, have eight for 65 yards at Boston College Nov. 10. USC has enough talent to win, so Notre Dame can't afford to provide help to the Trojans. ✦ While the talk this November has centered on whether Notre Dame can make it to the BCS national championship game, the reality is the Fighting Irish have lost to USC in nine of their last 10 meetings. That ties the best 10-game stretch any opponent has ever had against Notre Dame, first set by Michigan DECADE OF DOMINANCE State from 1955-65. USC had an eight-game winning streak versus the Irish from 2001-09 before it was snapped at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in in 2010 when head Brian Kelly's Notre Dame unit won 20-16 in his first season. Kelly will attempt to become the third Notre Dame head coach to win on his first two trips to the Coli- seum. The other two were Frank Leahy (1942 and 1947) and Lou Holtz (1986 and 1988). — Lou Somogyi