USC

[ftnfan62]

This game reminds me of 2015 Stanford.....we are clearly a better team, but we are limping in with now 2 more of our better starters on D out (KVA, Cross).....

When you look at USC on the spread, the fact they were ahead in every game going into the last few minutes and they its at home certainly does not setup well for us....

Have not really seen them play, you guys worried about them?

 

[chaseball]

Starters out on defense:

Botelho
Cross
KVA
BenMo
Traore

Might be a group of some of the most talented players on the entire team.

Still the #3 defense in the country after luck/opponent adjusted. Its absolutely insane.

Al Golden Coordinator of the year
Marcus Freeman HC of the year

They both got to be at the top of these awards this season.

 

[Golson5]

This game reminds me of 2015 Stanford.....we are clearly a better team, but we are limping in with now 2 more of our better starters on D out (KVA, Cross).....

When you look at USC on the spread, the fact they were ahead in every game going into the last few minutes and they its at home certainly does not setup well for us....

Have not really seen them play, you guys worried about them?

Cross is questionable, not out. I expect him to play

KVA, although really good, is not technically a starter

 

[NDinNJ]

This game reminds me of 2015 Stanford.....we are clearly a better team, but we are limping in with now 2 more of our better starters on D out (KVA, Cross).....

When you look at USC on the spread, the fact they were ahead in every game going into the last few minutes and they its at home certainly does not setup well for us....

Have not really seen them play, you guys worried about them?

This game has me worried. ND just needs to come out focused and well prepared and they should win.

Individuals on this forum were worried about Navy and Army based simply on their records. The talent gap between those two teams and ND is enormously tilted in ND's favor. I never had a doubt about the outcome of those two games.

USC is a talented team, which makes them dangerous. Let's hope the team and staff are ready to play their A game and punch their ticket to the playoff.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

Embrace the suck

 

[graceh90]

Win and they will be heavily favored to make a run in the playoffs. A season like we have not seen in decades. Head coach of the year.

Lose and it is a total dumpster fire, one in which a head coach may never recover

This game is that important

 

[Harpo Marxist]

This trap game is for real. USC got throttled last year...they will be reminded of that as well. And, as has been said, they have nothing to lose. Beating ND sets them up for next year and takes the heat off of Riley. USC has been more working parts than team this year...but that can change in a single game.

 

[sjb75]

This trap game is for real. USC got throttled last year...they will be reminded of that as well. And, as has been said, they have nothing to lose. Beating ND sets them up for next year and takes the heat off of Riley. USC has been more working parts than team this year...but that can change in a single game.

Why would anyone refer to USC as a trap game for Notre Dame?

 

[Kelso86]

Cross is questionable, not out. I expect him to play

KVA, although really good, is not technically a starter

I seriously doubt we see Cross on Saturday -- my gut tells me they are holding him out to be fully healthy for the playoffs.

 

[NDinNJ]

I seriously doubt we see Cross on Saturday -- my gut tells me they are holding him out to be fully healthy for the playoffs.

Playoffs are 3 weeks out. He'll play if he's ready to go.

 

[christophero]

I am not worried. Play our game and we win by 10. Defeat is possible, but not probable. This team is playing very well.

 

[Fightingirish595]

This game reminds me of 2015 Stanford.....we are clearly a better team, but we are limping in with now 2 more of our better starters on D out (KVA, Cross).....

When you look at USC on the spread, the fact they were ahead in every game going into the last few minutes and they its at home certainly does not setup well for us....

Have not really seen them play, you guys worried about them?

For comparisons sake, Notre dame was not clearly better than Stanford in 2015.

Would say this is more comparable to the 3 times ND has gone to LA undefeated since 2012 and come away undefeated

 

[NIN Irish]

For comparisons sake, Notre dame was not clearly better than Stanford in 2015.

Would say this is more comparable to the 3 times ND has gone to LA undefeated since 2012 and come away undefeated

2 times chase.

 

[Fightingirish595]

2 times chase.

Rent free

 

[NIN Irish]

Rent free

Clown show

 

[NDblitz]

2015 Stanford was 12-2. PAC 12 champions.

 

[ftnfan62]

Starters out on defense:

Botelho
Cross
KVA
BenMo
Traore

Might be a group of some of the most talented players on the entire team.

Still the #3 defense in the country after luck/opponent adjusted. Its absolutely insane.

Al Golden Coordinator of the year
Marcus Freeman HC of the year

They both got to be at the top of these awards this season.

Agree, but we have not seen a group of receivers all year this fast which means the D-Line will need to straight up get to the QB. On paper, this team seems to matchup with our secondary. They also have an RB averaging over 5 yards a carry and our D from a run perspective is not tops I dont think.

 

[ftnfan62]

Cross is questionable, not out. I expect him to play

KVA, although really good, is not technically a starter

Thought I heard Cross was out....good to know.....

I dont think ND has seen the speed at WR USC has, probably Louisville and A&M was closest. FSU probably but their QB couldnt hit the broad side of a barn.

I liked KVA's size in there against USC. Lets hope Bowen can have a day like he has in the past.

 

[ftnfan62]

This game has me worried. ND just needs to come out focused and well prepared and they should win.

Individuals on this forum were worried about Navy and Army based simply on their records. The talent gap between those two teams and ND is enormously tilted in ND's favor. I never had a doubt about the outcome of those two games.

USC is a talented team, which makes them dangerous. Let's hope the team and staff are ready to play their A game and punch their ticket to the playoff.

The more you read about this team, the more you scratch your head. Ahead in all games....PSU to OT....beat LSU....

Michigan and Minnesota losses are interesting to me....those are heavy run teams, big bodies....similar to ND...

Some losses are head scratchers....Washington.....Maryland.....even UCLA and Nebraska kept it within a score...

I honestly dont know what we go up against as its so inconsistent, i just hear all the talking heads saying "I woult not be suprised to see USC straight up beat ND"

 

[ftnfan62]

Win and they will be heavily favored to make a run in the playoffs. A season like we have not seen in decades. Head coach of the year.

Lose and it is a total dumpster fire, one in which a head coach may never recover

This game is that important

I think its the diff in hosting a playoff game and not being in at all.......depends on how we would lose i guess.

 

[ftnfan62]

For comparisons sake, Notre dame was not clearly better than Stanford in 2015.

Would say this is more comparable to the 3 times ND has gone to LA undefeated since 2012 and come away undefeated

Disagree. In 2015, ND was one of the best teams in all of CFB and that team was one of the most talented BK ever fielded. They just were decimated by injury. If not for multiple fumbles at the worst time against Clemson, we are going into that Stanford game undefeated and ranked probably number 1. Stanford had a decent team, at 13th.....

Agree with your last point, its a rivalry and a way to make the entire season a win.

 

[ftnfan62]

2015 Stanford was 12-2. PAC 12 champions.

And we were still better with most of our team injured. If not for a penalty on a sack, we still win it. Instead, puts them in FG range for the win. Felt like BC again to me.

 

[NDblitz]

And we were still better with most of our team injured. If not for a penalty on a sack, we still win it. Instead, puts them in FG range for the win. Felt like BC again to me.

Lol! They were light years better than 93 BC