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✦ TOP STORYLINES: NOTRE DAME VS. USC To be fair, Kiffin and his staff did fine work while leading USC to a 10-2 finish last season (Shula also had a 10-2 seat at Alabama), including the 31-17 win at Notre Dame and a 38-35 upset of Oregon. However, among the negatives during this season's extremely disappointing 7-4 start are an 0-3 record against Stanford, se- nior quarterback Matt Barkley regressing, the defense setting records of futility and committing the second-most penalties (94) in the nation through 10 games. The off-the-field embarrassing antics that also defined Kiffin's one-year career at Tennessee have included lying about his coaches' poll vote, a duplicitous number change to trick Colorado, banning 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 beleaguered coach can be the most dangerous opponent Notre Dame can confront. The pivotal issue here will be how 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? TURNOVERS/PENALTIES Some teams just lose, while others can just beat themselves. Notre Dame was that team last season, finishing last nationally in turnover margin. During its 7-4 start this season, USC's 29 turnovers (14 fumbles and 15 intercep- tions) were eclipsed by only four others in the 120-team Football Bowl Subdivision: Cal (30), Western Michigan (31), Houston (32) and Idaho (35). Meanwhile, Notre Dame (which finished with 29 turnovers last year) had only 14 total turnovers dur- ing its 11-0 start. Fine Italian cuisine just minutes from Notre Dame... Like coming home for dinner! ItalIan RestauRants South Bend/Granger and Indianapolis 50827 Princess Way, Granger Redshirt sophomore linebacker Dion Bailey, who has a team-high four interceptions, is part of a USC defense that has forced the sixth-most turnovers (29) in the nation. PHOTO COURTESY USC Notable about the Trojans, though, is they also forced 29 turnovers — the sixth most in the country. The same goes for penalties. USC's 94 infractions (783 yards) are the second most nationally, but the opponents also have committed 97 (850 yards) against them. In its five road games this season, Notre Dame has had only three turnovers, with none against Michigan, Miami and Okla- homa. In penalties on the road, Notre Dame has averaged 4.6 for 33.2 yards, high- lighted by only one for five yards at Okla- homa. 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. ✦ ✦ PAGE 10 Available For Special Events. Private Party Room NOW OPEN! 574-271-1500 Serving Daily from 12pm until close