Here is my Notre Dame - USC Preview.

[letsgond]

Sorry it's late this week.

Notre Dame QB's: Brandon Wimbush missed the last game due to injury, but with a bye week, is now rested enough to start once again. He hasn't been as accurate when it comes to throwing the ball with 69 completions on 132 attempts for 782 yards with a completion rate of 52.3 percent, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. His strength has been running the ball with 68 attempts for 402 yards with a 5.9 yard average and 8 touchdowns. Ian Book filled in for him in the last game, making his first career start, and he has completed 20 passes on 39 attempts for 197 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions, and a completion rate of 51.3 percent. When it comes to running the ball, Book has 17 carries for 85 yards and a 5 yard average. Improving on accuracy will be important for Wimbush in the remaining half of the regular season.


Notre Dame RB's: The strength on the offense for the Irish is running the ball, as the rush offense is ranked 5th in the nation with 308 yards per game, 6.9 yards per rush, and 23 rushing touchdowns. Even though he has not played full games (either due to the Irish being far ahead or with an injury), Josh Adams is having an impressive season with 86 attempts for 776 rushing yards, a 9 yard average, and 5 touchdowns. Adams has been having long rushes in many games so far this season as well. Adams also has 9 catches for 84 yards and a 9.3 yard average. Dexter Williams hasn't been able to play as much due to injury, but after missing the last two games should be good to go. He has made plays as well this season with 20 carries for 214 yards with a 10.7 yard average and 4 rushing touchdowns. He also has 1 reception for 8 yards and 1 touchdown with an 8 yard average. Tony Jones Jr. has also had injury struggles as well, but has 22 attempts for 102 yards with a 4.6 yard average and 2 touchdowns. Deon McIntosh has been big in closing out games this season with 40 carries for 230 yards with a 5.8 yard average and 4 touchdowns.


Notre Dame WR's and TE's: This hasn't been as strong of an area for the Irish this season as it has been in the past. Equanimeous St. Brown has 15 receptions for 211 yards with 2 touchdowns and a 14.1 yard average. Alize Mack leads all tight ends with 17 catches for 154 yards and a 9.1 yard average. Chase Claypool is the closest to being a number 2 receiver right now with 12 catches for 144 yards with a 12 yard average and 1 touchdown. Durham Smythe has 6 receptions for 110 yards and an 18.3 yard average, while Miles Boykin has 4 catches for 84 yards and 1 touchdown with a 21 yard average. Chris Finke has 4 receptions for 84 yards with a 21 yard average, while Cameron Smith has 8 catches for 60 yards with 1 touchdown and a 7.5 yard average. Nic Weishar has 3 receptions for 20 yards and 1 touchdown with a 6.7 yard average.


Notre Dame OL: The offense line continues to run block quite well for Notre Dame with the 5th best rushing offense in the nation with 308 yards per game with an average of 6.9 yards per rush and 23 rushing touchdowns. When it comes to protection overall they have allowed 31 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 28 quarterback hurries. While the amount of pressure is high, sacks aren't at a high number in terms of what is allowed.

 

[letsgond]

Notre Dame DL: Jerry Tillery continues to lead a deep unit and all defensive linemen with 27 tackles along with 4.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading 3 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Jay Hayes has 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 safety. Jonathan Bonner also has 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss along with 1 sack and 2 quarterback hurries. Andrew Trumbetti has 16 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 quarterback hurries. Daelin Hayes has 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 3 quarterback hurries, and 2 fumble recoveries. Julian Okwara has 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 5 quarterback hurries, and 1 blocked kick. Khalid Kareem has 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 fumble recovery. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has 6 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Notre Dame LB's: Nyles Morgan leads all players in tackles with 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Te'von Coney has 42 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 quarterback hurries. Greer Martini's is out due to injury and not having him could hurt depth in this area since the rotation is smaller than the defensive line rotation. Martini has 39 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Drue Tranquill has done nearly everything this season with 34 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, 1 quarterback hurry, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Asmar Bilal has 12 tackles, while Jonathan Jones has 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup.


Notre Dame DB's: Julian Love leads all defensive backs with 27 tackles, 1 interception returned for a touchdown, and 8 pass breakups. Nick Coleman has 21 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 quarterback hurry, while Jalen Elliott has 20 tackles and 1 pass breakup. Nick Watkins has 19 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and 1 quarterback hurry. Shaun Crawford has made quite a few plays for the Irish this season with 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Devin Studstill has 12 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry, while Jordan Genmark-Heath has 9 tackles.


Notre Dame Special Teams: Justin Yoon is 7 of 10 on field goals this season for a 70% rate and a long of 46 yards. Tyler Newsome handles punting with 31 punts for an average of 45.7 yards with a long of 59 yards, 3 touchbacks, 10 fair caught, 10 inside the 20, and 14 that were 50 or more yards. Yoon also handles kickoffs with 36 kickoffs for a 62.6 yard average with 13 touchbacks and 1 out of bounds. C.J. Sanders returns kickoffs with 12 kickoffs for 275 yards for an average of 22.9 and a long of 38. Punt returns have shown a little improvement with Chris Finke returning 13 punts for 46 yards with an average of 3.5 yards per return and a long of 23 yards.


Notre Dame Run Offense vs. USC Run Defense: The Irish have a strong run offense that goes up against an undermanned USC defensive front that is ranked 61st against the run allowing 146.7 yards per game with 7 rushing touchdowns and 4.1 yards per rush. Other than Texas, every opponent has managed to rush for over 100 yards in each game and at least 1 rushing touchdown as well. With the running backs and Brandon Wimbush back, this will give the Irish a considerable edge, although USC does have a strength of getting into the backfield with 44 tackles for loss this season.


Edge: Notre Dame


Notre Dame Pass Offense vs. USC Pass Defense: Notre Dame has not been as strong with throwing the ball this season compared to the past, but with a rested Brandon Wimbush should be able to improve and have an effective game. The Trojans are even worse against the pass with an 89th ranked pass defense that allows 238.7 passing yards per game and for opponents to complete 54.6 percent of their passes. The Trojans have also allowed 10 passing touchdowns, but do have 10 interceptions, and are great at getting into the backfield with 22 sacks and have 17 quarterback hurries. The Trojans have only allowed 3 teams to pass for less than 200 yards, and even then, one of those teams ran for over 200 yards against them. Three of the teams had 298 or more passing yards against them as well, which shows that aside from tackles for loss and sacks, that USC isn't as impressive on defense this season.


Edge: Notre Dame


USC Run Offense vs. Notre Dame Run Defense: The Trojans have the 53rd ranked rushing offense that averages 180.6 yards per game with 5 yards per rush and 10 rushing touchdowns. Only one team, Texas, held them to under 100 yards rushing, and in the first two games the Trojans had more than 200 yards rushing in each. Ronald Jones II has 102 attempts for 640 yards, 6.3 yards per rush, and 8 touchdowns is the leading rusher. They also have Stephen Carr out for the game, and is the second leading rusher. They might use Vavae Malepeai who has 28 attempts for 162 yards and a 5.8 yard average. The Irish are also great at getting into the backfield with 35 tackles for loss. Notre Dame has the 41st ranked run defense with 134.5 yards allowed per game and for opponents to average 3.7 yards per rush, but have allowed only 1 rushing touchdown all season long. The Irish have done well against the run this season and should be able to do well against USC here despite not having Greer Martini for this game.


Edge: Notre Dame


USC Pass Offense vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense: This has been the area of strength for the Trojans with a pass offense that is 20th in the nation that averages 296.4 yards per game. The quarterback, Sam Darnold has completed 163 passes on 260 attempts for a completion rate of 62.7 percent with 15 touchdowns, but 9 interceptions. Darnold has also had even more turnover issues with fumbles lost this season as well. The Irish have done well in generating turnovers this season and could be a major factor in the game. The main target when catching the ball is Deontay Burnett with 49 catches for 626 yards with 12.8 yards per reception and 6 touchdowns. Outside of Burnett, the Trojans have not had a true number two receiver as the next two players have either missed time or have not been as consistent in each game. Steven Mitchell Jr. missed two games this season but has 23 receptions for 333 yards for an average of 14.5 yards per catch and 2 touchdowns, while Tyler Vaughns has 25 catches for 287 yards with an 11.5 yard average and 1 touchdown. The tight ends are an area to keep on eye out for as Tyler Petite has 17 catches for 245 yards for 3 touchdowns and a 14.4 yard average, while Josh Falo has 3 receptions for 50 yards with a 16.7 yard average and 2 touchdowns. The Irish have a 77th ranked pass defense that allows 231.2 yards per game with opposing teams having a completion rate of 54.4 percent and have allowed 10 passing touchdowns, but do have 6 interceptions.


Edge: Even


Intangibles: The Irish are coming off a bye after beating North Carolina on the road 33-10 while starting backup quarterback Ian Book. The Trojans are coming off a close home win over Utah and are playing in only the third road game of the season after playing five home games so far this season. They have not done as well away from home with a 30-20 over a 4-3 Cal, and a 27-30 loss at Washington State. The Irish will need to step things up on the pass game and continue to run the football well. The defense will need to shut things down by getting into the backfield for tackles for loss and sacks while forcing turnovers as well since USC has struggled heavily in turnovers lost season. Getting out to a good start by scoring early and often will help as well.


Prediction: Notre Dame 35, USC 19

 

[Good4Bad]

Hope Your right

 

[stu4don]

I'd definitely give them the edge on Pass Offense vs. our Pass Defense
And maybe USC edge/even ND's Pass Offense vs. their Pass Defense

But other than that I think you are right. I'm thinking a closer game. 7-10 point win? (BUT DAMN, I HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT!!!!)