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NewsDate: Oct 21, 2011 Notre Dame USC Showdown
By Jordan Lauterbach/ (Photo:Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America)
For Notre Dame, after another crushing loss to Michigan in week two, the sound of fists flying into walls and chairs being kicked across the room were eerily absent. Instead, the rolling of eyes and slightly audible mumblings of “here we go again,” was more in vogue. Lately, it is disappointment, not success, which has become the norm in South Bend. It’s as if the glory and echoes of the last 100 years finally decided to take a rest and have yet to wake up. Expectation has not been kind to the Irish over the last five years. They have been mired in a bad case of “the opposites” ever since Brady Quinn left town. Games that have been virtual scrimmages for years (Navy, Syracuse, UConn) have become homespun embarrassments in the blink of an eye. Contests that had fans debating whether or not they should watch (Utah, @ USC) shockingly turned into triumphs. After a fantastic end to Brian Kelly’s first year, one that saw a struggling defense allow less than 10 points per game to its last four opponents, expectations were high again. The schedule had, at most, two losses on it and the team looked primed for a BCS berth. Those two losses came quickly - one to South Florida, another to Michigan. Going 0-2 before October wasn’t the plan. It was, to say the least, inexcusable. It was also par for the course. However, after four straight wins (including a domination of Michigan State and 59 points against Air Force), expectations are high again in South Bend, but the stakes for each individual game are even higher. Notre Dame has to run the table to have a decent, if not outside, shot at a BCS at-large berth. If they lose one more game, all of those pearly preseason predictions will, yet again, be grinded up and laughed at. It has been a long time since Notre Dame has been expected to win a game of this magnitude. It’s been even longer since they’ve been expected to beat USC. After all, even the “Bush push” game was viewed as a measuring stick matchup, not a probable win. At 5-1, USC has played well, but are certainly beatable. Compared with others in the country, the Trojans don’t run the football tremendously well and allow over 20 points a game. Having talent in the defensive back field for the first time in years and an offense that can move the ball effortlessly at points, this is a good matchup for the Irish. Notre Dame’s offense is heating up at the right time. Tommy Rees has shrugged off the rust and has begun to play with more consistency. He’s thrown for 14 touchdowns this season and controlled an offense that has put up over 30 points in four of its six games. This is a big game for Rees on a personal level. In last year’s edition of the rivalry, the then-freshman threw three interceptions and played his worst game of the year. It was overshadowed by Notre Dame’s first win over the Trojans in ages, but has to stick in the craw of the sophomore. All great Irish quarterbacks play well in these types of games. Rees, although under the radar because of his age, has a chance to add to the first few chapters of his budding Notre Dame legacy with a memorable performance against a decent defense. The most talented player on the field belongs to Notre Dame - Michael Floyd. Floyd has caught 53 passes this season, 21 more than the next leading receiver. Rees knows where his best option lies. If USC contains Floyd, it’ll be difficult for Notre Dame to get any sort of offensive rhythm. This game is not as much about individual matchups as it is about finally coming through on expectation. If the last five years have taught us anything about Notre Dame, it is that matchups often don’t matter. It is effort, execution and self-awareness. Saturday night isn’t just a rivalry game; it’s a statement game. It’s the season. It’s a game the Irish have to win. But out of all those hyperboles, the one that should scare fans the most is this: It’s a game Notre Dame should win.
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