USC....needs our very best.

[88ND]

USC ...
Playing with nothing to lose.

Spoil our season.

FYI...

Every USC loss but one they've led the game heading into the 4th quarter.

 

[tkirish]

Without a doubt SC would like nothing more than to ruin another ND season. Different eras, different coaches and different players. It doesn’t matter. SC is still SC with a lot of talent. ND will. need their A+ game for this team.

 

[hvillebill]

USC ...
Playing with nothing to lose.

Spoil our season.

FYI...

Every USC loss but one they've led the game heading into the 4th quarter.

This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think.

Here are their losses:

27-24 to Michigan (a 6-5 team, soon to be 6-6)
24-17 to Minnesota (another 6-5 team)
33-30 to Penn St. (okay, they're a good team)
29-28 to Maryland (4-7)
26-21 to Washington (another 6-5 team)

If Notre Dame lost all those games, people on this board would be going ballistic and calling for Freeman to be fired. Yet Lincoln Riley is sitting pretty raking in $10 million/year. He's made a career on offense with no defense whatsoever, kind of like Charlie Weis.

The ND defense is something they haven't seen. The ND running game is going to be too much for them to handle and ND wins 38-17.

 

[Kelso86]

This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think.

Here are their losses:

27-24 to Michigan (a 6-5 team, soon to be 6-6)
24-17 to Minnesota (another 6-5 team)
33-30 to Penn St. (okay, they're a good team)
29-28 to Maryland (4-7)
26-21 to Washington (another 6-5 team)

If Notre Dame lost all those games, people on this board would be going ballistic and calling for Freeman to be fired. Yet Lincoln Riley is sitting pretty raking in $10 million/year. He's made a career on offense with no defense whatsoever, kind of like Charlie Weis.

The ND defense is something they haven't seen. The ND running game is going to be too much for them to handle and ND wins 38-17.

"This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think."

I don't think he believes that USC is a juggernaut -- but, all one has to do is look back to Northern Illinois. Many people on this board thought that ND would go 11-1, but the hiccup was not anticipated to be in Week 2. What he (88) is saying is that ND CANNOT lose focus and has to have the same mindset that have displayed the 2nd half of he season.

And yes, USC would like nothing better than to knock ND off and ruin ND's season.

 

[christophero]

Agreed. I think we will take them very seriously. We'd probably win 4 of 5, but there is always a chance they play out of their minds. Play like we have and we will win.

 

[echowaker]

"This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think."

I don't think he believes that USC is a juggernaut -- but, all one has to do is look back to Northern Illinois. Many people on this board thought that ND would go 11-1, but the hiccup was not anticipated to be in Week 2. What he (88) is saying is that ND CANNOT lose focus and has to have the same mindset that have displayed the 2nd half of he season.

And yes, USC would like nothing better than to knock ND off and ruin ND's season.

Given all that's at stake they haven't had the luxury of taking anything for granted since NIU. I fully expect the same effort and intensity we've been seeing. Protect the football and play great defense. It's a winning formula.

 

[burmafrd1943]

1964 and 1970 USC losses in the last game of the season cost Notre Dame national championships.

Now that happened under John McKay a great coach but anyone taking this game lightly is a fool

 

[NDblitz]

This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think.

Here are their losses:

27-24 to Michigan (a 6-5 team, soon to be 6-6)
24-17 to Minnesota (another 6-5 team)
33-30 to Penn St. (okay, they're a good team)
29-28 to Maryland (4-7)
26-21 to Washington (another 6-5 team)

If Notre Dame lost all those games, people on this board would be going ballistic and calling for Freeman to be fired. Yet Lincoln Riley is sitting pretty raking in $10 million/year. He's made a career on offense with no defense whatsoever, kind of like Charlie Weis.

The ND defense is something they haven't seen. The ND running game is going to be too much for them to handle and ND wins 38-17.

I’d disagree on the defense. Michigan plays pretty damn good defense. As does Minnesota. But ND defense is better.

 

[sjb75]

This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think.

Here are their losses:

27-24 to Michigan (a 6-5 team, soon to be 6-6)
24-17 to Minnesota (another 6-5 team)
33-30 to Penn St. (okay, they're a good team)
29-28 to Maryland (4-7)
26-21 to Washington (another 6-5 team)

If Notre Dame lost all those games, people on this board would be going ballistic and calling for Freeman to be fired. Yet Lincoln Riley is sitting pretty raking in $10 million/year. He's made a career on offense with no defense whatsoever, kind of like Charlie Weis.

The ND defense is something they haven't seen. The ND running game is going to be too much for them to handle and ND wins 38-17.

Lincoln Riley makes 11.0 million a year, through 2032.

 

[88ND]

This is the second thread you've started about the USC game. You make it sound as though they're some kind of juggernaut. Yes, it's a rivalry game and they have nothing to lose, but they're not as good as you may think.

Here are their losses:

27-24 to Michigan (a 6-5 team, soon to be 6-6)
24-17 to Minnesota (another 6-5 team)
33-30 to Penn St. (okay, they're a good team)
29-28 to Maryland (4-7)
26-21 to Washington (another 6-5 team)

If Notre Dame lost all those games, people on this board would be going ballistic and calling for Freeman to be fired. Yet Lincoln Riley is sitting pretty raking in $10 million/year. He's made a career on offense with no defense whatsoever, kind of like Charlie Weis.

The ND defense is something they haven't seen. The ND running game is going to be too much for them to handle and ND wins 38-17.

WTH are you talking about?

All those losses they've actually led the game going into the 4th quarter minus Michigan.

If they knew how to close and play better as a "team" they might be 10-2 or 11-1 🤷

They're not the chopped liver you suggest.

 

[hoopsstar12]

What are the details on KVA's knee sprain? Is it a grade 1 or 2? It matters for how long he will be out. Anyone know? We are missing so many key players. So unfair.

 

[Kelso86]

What are the details on KVA's knee sprain? Is it a grade 1 or 2? It matters for how long he will be out. Anyone know? We are missing so many key players. So unfair.

Don't think Freeman will release that data, but, the "guess" is that he is only out this week -- given that the 1st round is 2-3 weeks away, this gives him time to heal properly and be ready.

 

[hoopsstar12]

Don't think Freeman will release that data, but, the "guess" is that he is only out this week -- given that the 1st round is 2-3 weeks away, this gives him time to heal properly and be ready.

Thanks for the good news. I hope you are right!

 

[Kelso86]

Thanks for the good news. I hope you are right!

"I hope you are right!"

Me too!

 

[echowaker]

Ucla is 70th in points per game given up. ND is 2nd. ND is 4th overall in yards per game permitted UCLA is 49th. USC put up a whopping 19 points against UCLA. I'll be shocked if they get 14 on Saturday if ND doesn't turn the ball over.

 

[Golson5]

Ucla is 70th in points per game given up. ND is 2nd. ND is 4th overall in yards per game permitted UCLA is 49th. USC put up a whopping 19 points against UCLA. I'll be shocked if they get 14 on Saturday if ND doesn't turn the ball over.

And they put up 30 against psu who is ranked in the top 10 in defense statistics

They have a lot of speed and athleticism. Louisville is the best comp for athletes we've played at wr. And Am

 

[hvillebill]

WTH are you talking about?

All those losses they've actually led the game going into the 4th quarter minus Michigan.

If they knew how to close and play better as a "team" they might be 10-2 or 11-1 🤷

They're not the chopped liver you suggest.

Those games were all against mediocre teams, with the exception of Penn St.

I think you're panicking somewhat and need to trust our boys. That's all. I'm not saying your post was stupid or anything like that.

 

[echowaker]

And they put up 30 against psu who is ranked in the top 10 in defense statistics

They have a lot of speed and athleticism. Louisville is the best comp for athletes we've played at wr. And Am

Different QB put up that 30. ND 38- 13.

 

[tbonesays]

The BUG refs have a vested interest in this game, and others. IF we allow it to be close then we are asking for trouble.

 

[4-4-3]

USC ...
Playing with nothing to lose.

Spoil our season.

FYI...

Every USC loss but one they've led the game heading into the 4th quarter.

This year is this year . . . and this year only. And what happened in the past is of no consequence. But history has shown that any time ND has played USC out there with a potential NC on the line in a season-ending game, it’s turned out badly slightly more often than not.

In 1938, 1948, 1964 and 1970, undefeated, untied ND teams lost the NC by either losing or being tied by USC in that final regular season game in the Coliseum.

And while ND had a loss going into the 1974 game, had it beaten USC and still beaten Alabama in the Orange Bowl, which it did, it would have won the NC that year as well.

That’s 5 NC’s – POOF!

On the other hand, in 1988, ND won that final game, going on to win the NC, while in 2012, ND also won, propelling it into the BCS Championship game. But both of those victories were hard fought.

Still, on three other occasions, an ND NC-bound team BLEW OUT USC in the finale in the Coliseum: 1930 (27-0); 1947 (32-7) and 1966 (51-0).

So, that's FIVE NC'S LOST vs. FOUR NC'S (AND ONE BCS FINALS BERTH) SECURED in that particular game.

AND THERE'S YOUR RIVALRY, RIGHT THERE.

This year, only the playoffs are at stake – SO FAR. Yet, ND has NEVER won the NC without beating USC except for the years they didn’t play – 1919, 1924 (the series hadn’t started yet) and 1943 (due to WWII travel restrictions).

And this year's NO DIFFERENT. ND MUST beat USC.

 

[PHJIndy]

Every Irish game needs maximum attention and effort! The playoffs start Saturday at 3:30 PM.

 

[Tru2Irish]

USC ...
Playing with nothing to lose.

Spoil our season.

FYI...

Every USC loss but one they've led the game heading into the 4th quarter.

Tells me that they haven't played a defense like NDs and that they lose stamina eventually.

 

[hoopsstar12]

Every Irish game needs maximum attention and effort! The playoffs start Saturday at 3:30 PM.

Oh like a wild card game.

 

[Golson5]

Different QB put up that 30. ND 38- 13.

The most points USC gave up this season in regulation is 30. And they've played a top schedule

If we put up 38 that would be a big statement and I hope it comes true

 

[Get Nasty]

And they put up 30 against psu who is ranked in the top 10 in defense statistics

They have a lot of speed and athleticism. Louisville is the best comp for athletes we've played at wr. And Am

Penn state had a few busted plays and offensive turnovers… ND needs to have a clean game mentally

 

[Get Nasty]

The most points USC gave up this season in regulation is 30. And they've played a top schedule

If we put up 38 that would be a big statement and I hope it comes true

ND is averaging 7 points more per game than Penn state and psu had 500 yards and would have had more points but had a few picks, psu is the best offense usc has faced…turnovers will be crucial in this game if nd wants to win going away

Also, nd needs to slow their run game down in base D (4-2-5), Penn state struggled there

Physicality/violence…. That’s our calling card right now and it needs to continue

 

[88ND]

ND is averaging 7 points more per game than Penn state and psu had 500 yards and would have had more points but had a few picks, psu is the best offense usc has faced…turnovers will be crucial in this game if nd wants to win going away

Also, nd needs to slow their run game down in base D (4-2-5), Penn state struggled there

Physicality/violence…. That’s our calling card right now and it needs to continue

I agree and as I said for years now Golden needs to be the highest paid assistant in the country. Hell pay him more than Freeman because honestly without Golden we are not in any kind of elite conversation no matter, offense, defense special teams.
We have a legit ferocious playmaking defense ,

That all said let's keep things in perspective.
We are a really good defense. Ferocious Fun to watch. Hard to play against...BUT

B
U
T

We have played against some very poor offensive teams. We really don't know just how good we are or aren't. College Station was light years ago and they were in a mish mash of sorts with this QB or that QB, don't let him throw very far...etc...

We just don't have a great barometer...there are things we can see no matter the opponent record...
we play fast, aggressive, create havoc.

We will see

I still worry there will be that one game where nobody's defense shows up and it's a scoring fest.
Alabama and Clemson has had some fine defensive teams over the years but they've also had those moments where the best defense is the offense simply out scoring the other side.

We've had no kind of challenge like that this year sans the NIU debacle. They made us one dimensional and when that happens RL is NOT going to do well. Mark my words..IF HE "HAS" TO THROW WE ARE IN TROUBLE and odds are there will be that game or half of a game when WE MUST THROW

Maybe we get lucky and just 2023 Michigan blue print our way to the title

 

[tkirish]

ND gets everyone’s best shot. This game will be no different. But there is one difference with Southern Cal than the rest of the schedule. They have more talent than anyone that ND has faced. 443 laid it out perfectly. He knows the history. Many supposed “ better” Irish teams have faced “ lesser” Trojan teams in the Coleseum only to leave with a devastating loss. SC will show up. ND needs to be ready. I think they will be. Throw out all the analytics. As someone here said earlier, the Trojans have nothing to lose. If the Irish win comfortably that would be awesome. But in a game like this in their house, that’s a rarity. As Al Davis always said “ just win baby”.

 

[Get Nasty]

I agree and as I said for years now Golden needs to be the highest paid assistant in the country. Hell pay him more than Freeman because honestly without Golden we are not in any kind of elite conversation no matter, offense, defense special teams.
We have a legit ferocious playmaking defense ,

That all said let's keep things in perspective.
We are a really good defense. Ferocious Fun to watch. Hard to play against...BUT

B
U
T

We have played against some very poor offensive teams. We really don't know just how good we are or aren't. College Station was light years ago and they were in a mish mash of sorts with this QB or that QB, don't let him throw very far...etc...

We just don't have a great barometer...there are things we can see no matter the opponent record...
we play fast, aggressive, create havoc.

We will see

I still worry there will be that one game where nobody's defense shows up and it's a scoring fest.
Alabama and Clemson has had some fine defensive teams over the years but they've also had those moments where the best defense is the offense simply out scoring the other side.

We've had no kind of challenge like that this year sans the NIU debacle. They made us one dimensional and when that happens RL is NOT going to do well. Mark my words..IF HE "HAS" TO THROW WE ARE IN TROUBLE and odds are there will be that game or half of a game when WE MUST THROW

Maybe we get lucky and just 2023 Michigan blue print our way to the title

Agree, we haven’t faced a capable passing team since Louisville. Our young corners will be tested

 

[melstew]

This game sets up a whole like CU at Kansas and A&M at Auburn and Mississippi at Gators. It's a timeless story of a talented but star-crossed team with chance to pull its shit together and cause some havoc. We also will be seeing a lot of new things (schemes and skills) in week with travel and distraction. Our kicking games is AWOL. A very dangerous situation. But we have the best coordinators in the country and an improving and deep team that can make big plays on both sides of the ball. To win we will need to pass early and effectively, to open up the run. Will we try that? Yes. Will we succeed. I think so, but RL still scares me. Love this team, super excited for Saturday, but so nervous that I might buy a dog on Friday.

 

[sjb75]

This game sets up a whole like CU at Kansas and A&M at Auburn and Mississippi at Gators. It's a timeless story of a talented but star-crossed team with chance to pull its shit together and cause some havoc. We also will be seeing a lot of new things (schemes and skills) in week with travel and distraction. Our kicking games is AWOL. A very dangerous situation. But we have the best coordinators in the country and an improving and deep team that can make big plays on both sides of the ball. To win we will need to pass early and effectively, to open up the run. Will we try that? Yes. Will we succeed. I think so, but RL still scares me. Love this team, super excited for Saturday, but so nervous that I might buy a dog on Friday.

“…we have the best coordinators in the country….” Lincoln Riley is the OC at USC. Some would argue Riley is a better OC than Mike Denbrock.

 

[Kelso86]

The BUG refs have a vested interest in this game, and others. IF we allow it to be close then we are asking for trouble.

"The BUG refs have a vested interest in this game, and others. IF we allow it to be close then we are asking for trouble."

There will be ACC officials on the field, and B1G replay officials

 

[Chitown11]

“…we have the best coordinators in the country….” Lincoln Riley is the OC at USC. Some would argue Riley is a better OC than Mike Denbrock.

Best DC? Probably. Best OC? Negative

 

[melstew]

Best DC? Probably. Best OC? Negative

Perhaps an unintended latent ambiguity by me. We have (IMHO) the best pair of coordinators in the country. And even if someone has better, I wouldn't know enough to really argue the point, we have two coordinators I have confidence in.

 

[echowaker]

Every Irish game needs maximum attention and effort! The playoffs start Saturday at 3:30 PM.

Playoffs started on game 3.

 

[echowaker]

Agree, we haven’t faced a capable passing team since Louisville. Our young corners will be tested

If Moss was still there I would agree. Not so sure now.

 

[echowaker]

This game sets up a whole like CU at Kansas and A&M at Auburn and Mississippi at Gators. It's a timeless story of a talented but star-crossed team with chance to pull its shit together and cause some havoc. We also will be seeing a lot of new things (schemes and skills) in week with travel and distraction. Our kicking games is AWOL. A very dangerous situation. But we have the best coordinators in the country and an improving and deep team that can make big plays on both sides of the ball. To win we will need to pass early and effectively, to open up the run. Will we try that? Yes. Will we succeed. I think so, but RL still scares me. Love this team, super excited for Saturday, but so nervous that I might buy a dog on Friday.

I don't think ND will have any trouble running right at them.

 

[echowaker]

“…we have the best coordinators in the country….” Lincoln Riley is the OC at USC. Some would argue Riley is a better OC than Mike Denbrock.

You're love affair with Riley is a riot. Amazing how pedestrian he's been this year without top tier talent at QB. Denbrock has done a way better job than Riley this year especially given the issues up front. He was much better last year too.

 

[echowaker]

The most points USC gave up this season in regulation is 30. And they've played a top schedule

If we put up 38 that would be a big statement and I hope it comes true

I'm very confident. If both teams play their best ND wins by double digits. I think they're that much better across the board. The only way I see them losing is if the offense has a rash of uncharacteristic turnovers. Complete faith in the defense to do their part.

 

[Golson5]

I'm very confident. If both teams play their best ND wins by double digits. I think they're that much better across the board. The only way I see them losing is if the offense has a rash of uncharacteristic turnovers. Complete faith in the defense to do their part.

I agree with that. If we play our best, they don't have a chance