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USC PREVIEW SPOILER ALERT Trojans look to ruin Notre Dame's national title dreams BY WES MORGAN September when simply asked an injury- related question, then banned the reporter for revealing the Trojans' kicker had un- dergone surgery. A month later on Oct. 20, USC was S busted for switching jerseys against hap- less Colorado. Backup quarterback Cody Kessler changed from No. 6 to No. 35 before the game versus the Buffaloes, with No. 35 being the same number worn by Trojans punter Kyle Negrete. Kessler was used on a two-point conversion in the first half wearing No. 35 before moving back to No. 6 at halftime. Then there was the USC student man- ager who intentionally deflated footballs ✦ GAME FACTS third season), USC — Lane Kiffin (25‑11, third season). Series Facts: This will be the 84th meeting between the Date: Nov. 24, 2012 Site: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (93,607) Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET Television: ABC Radio: This broadcast can be heard live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (channel 129). Coaches: Notre Dame — Brian Kelly (27‑10, outhern California head coach Lane Kiffin walked out of an interview in NOV. 21, 2012 prior to the Nov. 3 game against Oregon. The school was fined $25,000, fired the manager and said he acted alone without instruction from anyone above him in the program. Kiffin's middle name is Monte, but it might as well be 'Controversy' — it fol- lows him wherever he goes. The many distractions throughout a 7-4 season has made Kiffin's seat a little hotter. The Trojans finished 10-2 last year, which was the last of a two-season bowl ban after getting hit with NCAA sanctions stemming from allowing improper benefits to former USC running back Reggie Bush. And when quarterback Matt Barkley spurned the NFL and decided to play his senior season in Los Angeles, the table was set for USC, which started the year ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press poll, to sprint back into the national title race. "The expectations were created be- Head coach Lane Kiffin has found himself on the hot seat during a distraction-filled campaign that saw pre- season No. 1 USC's national title hopes dashed by four defeats. ceiver Marqise Lee boasts a national‑best 107 receptions for 1,605 yards and 14 touchdowns. The speedy 6‑0, 190‑pounder is averaging 145.9 receiving yards per game and 15.0 yards per catch. Defense — Junior defensive end Morgan Breslin leads the Trojans with 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The 6‑2, 250‑pound junior college transfer two programs, and Notre Dame leads the all‑time series 43‑35‑5. The Trojans, who have won nine of the last 10 games against the Fighting Irish, picked up a 31‑17 victory in South Bend last season. Prime Personnel: Offense — Sophomore wide re‑ PHOTO COURTESY USC cause of what they did last year," said Scott Schrader, who covers the team for FightOn247.com. "It's not like this came out of thin air. If they lose the last two games [against UCLA and Notre Dame] and don't have a good season next year, I think we'll be having that conversation." has 49 total tackles, four passes broken up and a fumble recovery this season. For The Record: Both Notre Dame and USC have won 11 consensus national titles and produced seven Heisman Tro‑ phy winners, though the Trojans have had far more success in the last decade … Thr Irish won the lowest‑scoring game between the two schools, which was a 9‑0 decision in South Bend in 1952 that helped a Frank Leahy‑coached squad to a 7‑2‑1 record … The Trojans got the best of the highest‑ scoring affair, a 55‑24 contest in 1974 in Los Angeles when the Irish were ranked No. 5 and USC was No. 6.