Oct 19 | Southern Cal

[PANDFAN]

listening to bill king w/ phil steele on...he picks usc to pull the upset

 

[rikkitikki08]

ND 56

USC 0

Book it

 

[Emcee77]

I think this game is going to go a lot like the 2011 game. I think we can score on them and I think we can stop them, but we're not going to do either on every drive. We have to bring our A game. Turnovers will kill us. If we limit turnovers, limit big plays and play the way we're capable of playing, we win. But that's a big if.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I honestly thought Orgeron said "I haven't been this happy since I buried my wife."</p>— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryenarussillo/statuses/388683812101566464">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
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lol he is hard to understand...he should be on the show swamp people or have close captioning when he speaks

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

listening to bill king w/ phil steele on...he picks usc to pull the upset

Phil Steele has been beating that drum all season. Didn't he have USC in the top ten in the preseason?

 

[TDHeysus]

I dont understand why so many ppl think ND is gonna steamroll USC. I see only 2 things that is a weak point for USC; #4 CB Torin Smith likes to get burned, and their overall team depth. Their offense is much improved just with play calling and the additional personnel they are now using (addressing their depth issues). They have a stable of running backs (and are able to run 5+ rb's /coughGB) If ND does not run up tempo (which I dont expect) the depth issue may not really come into play. I see this game as a tough game, and will be a hard fought game.

 

[ulukinatme]

I see this game as a tough game, and will be a hard fought game.

This game always is a tough game, at least going back the last 15 years or so. Either it ends poorly for us, or it's closer than it should be. I expect no different this year.

 

[NDWorld247]

I dont understand why so many ppl think ND is gonna steamroll USC. I see only 2 things that is a weak point for USC; #4 CB Torin Smith likes to get burned, and their overall team depth. Their offense is much improved just with play calling and the additional personnel they are now using (addressing their depth issues). They have a stable of running backs (and are able to run 5+ rb's /coughGB) If ND does not run up tempo (which I dont expect) the depth issue may not really come into play. I see this game as a tough game, and will be a hard fought game.

I'm not going to argue their play calling isn't improved (I didn't watch much of their previous games), but, honestly, I wasn't overly impressed with it last night, especially late in the game. USC was up a couple scores with about 8 minutes to play and they're still throwing 40+ yard passes when they should have kept it on the ground (which was working) and bled the clock. Their play calling allowed Arizona to get back into it. Also, playing against a crap defense will allow an OC to look good.

They do have a stable of backs, but our DL should dominate their OL and put plenty of pressure on their QB in the passing game. Limit the big plays and turnovers and we'll win comfortably. Give up a couple long passing TDs and end up -1 to -3 in the TO department and we'll find ourselves in a tight ball game.

 

[ACamp1900]

Protect the ball and we will win a hard fought game... I think it's that simple this season.

 

[ThePiombino]

Hate to be that guy spewing about hyperbole, BUT - I can't help but feel this is a HUGE swing game, not only for the season, but for the Kelly regime and the general state of the program. SO MUCH rides on this game - the potential to reap GINORMOUS recruiting cache as well as a slingshot to a genuine opportunity to play Stanford for a chance to make a BCS game. HUGE HUGE HUGE!

 

[ACamp1900]

Hate to be that guy spewing about hyperbole, BUT - I can't help but feel this is a HUGE swing game, not only for the season, but for the Kelly regime and the general state of the program. SO MUCH rides on this game - the potential to reap GINORMOUS recruiting cache as well as a slingshot to a genuine opportunity to play Stanford for a chance to make a BCS game. HUGE HUGE HUGE!

If ND's record, dating back to the late 90's, on “HUGE, defining, swing games” in any indication... it's gonna be a quite the frustrating game...

 

[Wild Bill]

They looked energized last night and the skilled positions looked good.

Their oline is garbage, though. If Prince, Tuitt and Lou play like they did last week it'll be a long night for Kessler.

Aside from a few stars on their D, namely Leonard (kid's a savage), they look average. It's obvious they have no depth - any sustained drive turns into a hands on hips convention. ND's oline should mop up in the second half if we establish the run early.

 

[notredomer23]

They looked energized last night and the skilled positions looked good.

Their oline is garbage, though. If Prince, Tuitt and Lou play like they did last week it'll be a long night for Kessler.

Aside from a few stars on their D, namely Leonard (kid's a savage), they look average. It's obvious they have no depth - any sustained drive turns into a hands on hips convention. ND's oline should mop up in the second half if we establish the run early.

Not hard to look good against a Rich Rod coached team. They do look as if a weight was lifted off their shoulders, though.

 

[ACamp1900]

Lee is supposed to be back next week... correct??

 

[rtrn2glory]

i would expect that, but nothing has been confirmed i believe

 

[RDU Irish]

Priceline came through with flights, got a room in town on points, now just need a few tickets to the game! Getting a headache trying to filter through Stubhub and Ebay.

First night game for me at ND (not that there have been that many). Looking forward to keeping my almost 10 year old up late overseeing a thorough curb stomping of some Trojans!

Gotta love a last minute road trip.

 

[chubler]

Yknow what's great about USC's offense? The non-mobile QB's.

 

[ThePiombino]

Yknow what's great about USC's offense? The non-mobile QB's.

Hate to break it to you, but Kessler can keep a drive alive with his legs.

 

[T Town Tommy]

It appears some of you guys are looking at the logo on the other team's helmet instead of the players under the helmet. USC gave up over 500 yards of total offense to a below average team. And, they gave up 360+ yards in passing to a not very good QB.

On offense, Kessler is no where near the QB from ASU and the Irish defense handled him pretty good. Yes... it is a rivalry game and crazy things do happen. But those crazy thing happen to teams that play poorly and come in unprepared. The only way ND loses this game is if they beat themselves. Play a solid game and I just can't see the Trojans playing within 10 points.

 

[PANDFAN]

Lee is supposed to be back next week... correct??

yes, read somewhere he will be ready

 

[Bluto]

It appears some of you guys are looking at the logo on the other team's helmet instead of the players under the helmet. USC gave up over 500 yards of total offense to a below average team. And, they gave up 360+ yards in passing to a not very good QB.

On offense, Kessler is no where near the QB from ASU and the Irish defense handled him pretty good. Yes... it is a rivalry game and crazy things do happen. But those crazy thing happen to teams that play poorly and come in unprepared. The only way ND loses this game is if they beat themselves. Play a solid game and I just can't see the Trojans playing within 10 points.

Bama fan is the voice of reason. Lol. Agree 100%.

 

[Kak7304]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I honestly thought Orgeron said "I haven't been this happy since I buried my wife."</p>— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryenarussillo/statuses/388683812101566464">October 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
lol he is hard to understand...he should be on the show swamp people or have close captioning when he speaks

He reminds me of the assistant coach from The Waterboy.

 

[irishtrooper]

A little nervous even with their lack of depth, they have TONS of talent and speed. Need to play well to win. Hope I am wrong but I can't see this being a blowout.

 

[stlnd01]

Hate to be that guy spewing about hyperbole, BUT - I can't help but feel this is a HUGE swing game, not only for the season, but for the Kelly regime and the general state of the program. SO MUCH rides on this game - the potential to reap GINORMOUS recruiting cache as well as a slingshot to a genuine opportunity to play Stanford for a chance to make a BCS game. HUGE HUGE HUGE!

USC is always a big game. But I think you might be overstating things a bit.
All this was also true in 2011 (except we were perceived to be better than we are right now). We lost. The program survived.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Massey Ratings likes the Irish 24-21.

Massey Ratings

 

[Rudy89]

It appears some of you guys are looking at the logo on the other team's helmet instead of the players under the helmet. USC gave up over 500 yards of total offense to a below average team. And, they gave up 360+ yards in passing to a not very good QB.

On offense, Kessler is no where near the QB from ASU and the Irish defense handled him pretty good. Yes... it is a rivalry game and crazy things do happen. But those crazy thing happen to teams that play poorly and come in unprepared. The only way ND loses this game is if they beat themselves. Play a solid game and I just can't see the Trojans playing within 10 points.

Why cant all Bama fans be cool like you instead of always yelling at me "NOTRE DAME OVERRATED AND SUCKS!!!! SEC!!! ROLL DAMN TIDE!!!" Hell you have more faith in the Irish than I do sometimes lol

 

[Rudy89]

He reminds me of the assistant coach from The Waterboy.

Farmer Fran!

 

[T Town Tommy]

Why cant all Bama fans be cool like you instead of always yelling at me "NOTRE DAME OVERRATED AND SUCKS!!!! SEC!!! ROLL DAMN TIDE!!!" Hell you have more faith in the Irish than I do sometimes lol

Too many BAM-mers running around. (Blabbering Alabama Morons)

Something tells me, however, that most Bama fans shout that same phrase to every team... just insert a different name. As for me, I just try to look at the games objectively and take the emotion out of it. It's amazing how much more you can see if you really do that.

 

[BGIF]

Terrible? They are 3-2. Sagarin ranks them as his #35 Team, one slot behind Michigan and two slots behind ND.

They lost to WSU by a FG while Sagarin says they should beat the Cougars by a FG. A 3 pt spread either way. What should have been a close game and was. The Cougars aren't a 2-10 this year.

They also lost to ASU, a 4 point favorite, in a game that was close until sometime in the 3rd Q when ASU put up to quick scores, one via a turnover, to open up a 2 TD lead. USC ended up losing by 21 and Kiffin got left in the parking lot, making USC a better team by subtraction. Sagarin would make ASU a 7 pt favorite today.

TYes, they're hurt by sanctions and injuries but still have an incredible array of talent. And without Kiffin's temper tantrums, they probably are a better team than they were.

How much disarray USC is will be demonstrated Thursday night when they play Arizona. Vegas has USC a 5.5 favorite while Sagarin would make USC a 2.5 to 3 point favorite.


As of today, Sagarin would have ND a point 0.09 favorite over USC on a neutral field. ND would get 4.28 for Home Field Advantage, so make ND a 5 pt favorite.

Sagarin 10/5 Predicator Ratings
10 OU 86.86
13 ASU 85.04
25 UAZ 80.20
26 USU 79.83

33 ND 78.77
34 UM 78.76
35 USC 78.68

42 WSU 76.38

10/14/13
Seven days ago before the UAZ game, I expected ND to be about a 5 point favorite and said so in the post above.. After USC beat a good UAZ, I expected that gap to narrow with USC getting a bounce from the win and ND losing some ground to BYE.

The new Sagarin ratings make ND about a half point dog to USC on a neutral field. With HFA Sagarin's Predicator has ND a 3 point favorite.

Vegasinsider agrees after opening the game as a pick'em, they've moved ND to -3.


Sagarin 10/12 Predicator Ratings
18 OU 84.45
10 ASU 86.04
24 Utah 80.79
27 UAZ 80.29
36 USU 78.51

38 ND 78.45
34 UM 79.16
35 USC 79.07

49 WSU 73.55


Despite protestations that "USC is terrible" and "ND will romp", USC not only isn't terrible their two WRs AND their RBs will give ND fits over the middle. Kessler will also run the ball. He doesn't have to run a lot but rather run to tie down a defender.

Oh and ND hasn't exactly romped over anybody.

 

[BGIF]

NCAA Injury Report

NCAA Injury Report

They're missing Daniel Smith and his fractured ankle - out for the season.


Notre Dame
Date Pos Player Injury Status
10/07/13 LB Jarrett Grace Tibia out for season
10/04/13 Backup RB Greg Bryant Knee out indefinitely
08/22/13 DL Tony Springmann Knee out for season
08/17/13 LB Danny Spond Migraine out for season
08/17/13 LB Doug Randolph Shoulder out for season
08/15/13 DB Nicky Baratti Shoulder out for season
08/14/13 QB Everett Golson Academics out for season


USC
Date Pos Player Injury Status
10/14/13 DB Anthony Brown Knee "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame
10/14/13 RB Tre Madden Hamstring probable Saturday vs. Notre Dame
10/14/13 WR Victor Blackwell Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame
10/14/13 TE Xavier Grimble Shoulder probable Saturday vs. Notre Dame
10/13/13 WR Marqise Lee Knee "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame
10/13/13 LB Morgan Breslin Hip "?" Saturday vs. Notre Dame

09/27/13 DB Devian Shelton Foot out for season
09/27/13 DL Greg Townsend Jr. Knee out for season
09/27/13 OL Zach Banner Hip out for season
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