Oct 19 | Southern Cal

[IrishLax]

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
*

Those injuries for USC don't seem nearly as bad as the sky is falling reports that were coming out of LA. Way fewer season ending injuries than us. And almost every single one of those players listed as questionable/probable should play against ND.

 

[rocket66]

Oct 19 | Southern Cal

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.

That's all fine and dandy, but you're forgetting how atrocious SC's defense is. Even Rees should be able to move the ball on these guys. He'd have to have an Oklahoma-type blowup, IMO, to lose this game. It seems ND's defense has started to figure it out the past two weeks as well - all they need to do is slow them down a little and all will be fine, IMO. Something along the lines of 38-24 sounds about right.

 

[dublinirish]

why is Greg listed as a backup and nobody else is?

 

[DillonHall]

That's all fine and dandy, but you're forgetting how atrocious SC's defense is. Even Rees should be able to move the ball on these guys. He'd have to have an Oklahoma-type blowup, IMO, to lose this game. It seems ND's defense has started to figure it out the past two weeks as well - all they need to do is slow them down a little and all will be fine, IMO. Something along the lines of 38-24 sounds about right.

I foresee a much lower score but hopefully a similar margin.

 

[rocket66]

I foresee a much lower score but hopefully a similar margin.

Being a rivalry game, low scoring could be likely, but USC gave up over 600 yards to ASU and 500 to Arizona. I'd be disappointed if we didn't move the ball well and put up points.

 

[Ndaccountant]

That's all fine and dandy, but you're forgetting how atrocious SC's defense is. Even Rees should be able to move the ball on these guys. He'd have to have an Oklahoma-type blowup, IMO, to lose this game. It seems ND's defense has started to figure it out the past two weeks as well - all they need to do is slow them down a little and all will be fine, IMO. Something along the lines of 38-24 sounds about right.

Not sure about their D being terrible.

Right now, they are 19th in the country in total defense. Much better than our 46th. Their rushing D is better too, ranked 15th in the country and giving up 3.7 yards per rush, better than ND's 3.8. They are also averaging 7.7 TFL's per game (ranked 13th in sacks per game), while ND comes in at 4.7, which is one notch below Idaho and one above Houston. Finally, they have forced 7 INT's, something I personally am worried about considering their pass rush.

I fully expect the winner of the TO battle to win the game. If there is even TO margin, it will be who makes the TO at the least opportune time. Our O will not move the ball on them like we did against ASU and USC has been inconsistent on offense. I am predicting a narrow ND victory, 20-17. But as what has already been posted, this game is truly a toss up IMO.

Oh, and ASU and Arizona both average more than 50 yards per game than the Irish, and Arizona was playing from behind all game and I think USC was playing more conservative on D with that lead.

 

[NDdomer2]

i would hope if we played "roll out jump pass Arizona" we would have a better set of defensive stats too

 

[Ndaccountant]

i would hope if we played "roll out jump pass Arizona" we would have a better set of defensive stats too

Purdue and Temple are much much worse than Arizona. Nevermind that MSU isn't Oregon either, ranked 88th in total offense.

 

[china423]

Per @mullyhanley of @670TheScore Lovie Smith interviewed for the USC head coaching job last week.

 

[dublinirish]

definitely they will pick a guy from the NFL ranks

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Agent: MT <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Smith_IMG">@Matt_Smith_IMG</a>: While USC would be an incredible opportunity, Lovie Smith did not interview for that opening.</p>— SB Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationCFB/statuses/389763533275021312">October 14, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[CarrollVermin]

I am going to be in the large minority and say that I hope that Tom Hammond has the call this weekend. Yeah, I know a lot of you dislike him, but who does not get chills on his call of the Stanford goal line stand? Thought he did a good job this weekend in Dallas as well...okay, so I think he just may be the good luck charm.

 

[koonja]

I am going to be in the large minority and say that I hope that Tom Hammond has the call this weekend. Yeah, I know a lot of you dislike him, but who does not get chills on his call of the Stanford goal line stand? Thought he did a good job this weekend in Dallas as well...okay, so I think he just may be the good luck charm.

For me, it's not just what he says, it's how he looks. There's something creepy about him.

I disagree with everyone who was ragging on Matt Millen who was doing the PSU/UM game. Hate him all you want as a GM, but I like how he called the game. Broadcasting and managing a roster are two extremely different things. Being good/bad in one doesn't mean you will be good/bad in the other.

 

[rocket66]

For me, it's not just what he says, it's how he looks. There's something creepy about him.

I disagree with everyone who was ragging on Matt Millen who was doing the PSU/UM game. Hate him all you want as a GM, but I like how he called the game. Broadcasting and managing a roster are two extremely different things. Being good/bad in one doesn't mean you will be good/bad in the other.

I don't know how Mayock does it with Hammond. It's super creepy when Mayock talks on camera and Hammond leans in and they are nearly touching faces. He has super large hands as well. Lol.

 

[greyhammer90]

I am going to be in the large minority and say that I hope that Tom Hammond has the call this weekend. Yeah, I know a lot of you dislike him, but who does not get chills on his call of the Stanford goal line stand? Thought he did a good job this weekend in Dallas as well...okay, so I think he just may be the good luck charm.

He sure was lucky for us against Tulsa, Navy, UCONN, and South Florida.

 

[Ironman8]

He sure was lucky for us against Tulsa, Navy, UCONN, and South Florida.

Pretty sure Dan Hicks was USF.

 

[greyhammer90]

Pretty sure Dan Hicks was USF.

point stands. Nothing is worse than Tulsa lol.

Plus: Luck doesn't exist.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

For me, it's not just what he says, it's how he looks. There's something creepy about him.

He looks like the offspring of Bruce Jenner and Phyllis Diller.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Guys... it's USC week for the Irish. I thought this board would be blown up with pregame analysis, recruit OV talk, etc. What gives?

 

[Emcee77]

Lol. Well, Kelly's presser is tomorrow at noon ... I have a feeling the board will get pretty lively starting about noon ET.

 

[irishknight35]

Guys... it's USC week for the Irish. I thought this board would be blown up with pregame analysis, recruit OV talk, etc. What gives?

Columbus Day

 

[RyCo1983]

I am going to be in the large minority and say that I hope that Tom Hammond has the call this weekend. Yeah, I know a lot of you dislike him, but who does not get chills on his call of the Stanford goal line stand? Thought he did a good job this weekend in Dallas as well...okay, so I think he just may be the good luck charm.

You're begging for neg reps with that one! haha
Just kidding.

No thanks to Hammond returning...EVER

 

[irishff1014]

With 2 weeks to prepare for an offense that plays right into our defenses strength we should win this ball game. Hopefully they worked on opening the play boom a bit in this time period. Give them 3 looks the pistol,straight shot gun and under center. Give them some stuff the can't see on tape. Ball security is very important in this game for us. Hopefully ours guys come out wanting to prove something.

 

[NDdomer2]

Sat
Oct 19
54°
39°
Few Showers
CHANCE OF RAIN:
30%

WIND:
W at 9 mph

 

[blueNDgold44]

Gonna be at the game, my first ND night game and also my 1st time seeing USC.

 

[BGIF]

I am going to be in the large minority and say that I hope that Tom Hammond has the call this weekend. Yeah, I know a lot of you dislike him, but who does not get chills on his call of the Stanford goal line stand? Thought he did a good job this weekend in Dallas as well...okay, so I think he just may be the good luck charm.

Stanford goal line stand.

One SET OF DOWNS in how many seasons?

Perhaps you should start a thread,"Oversold on Hammond".

 

[RuntheBall]

For those of you who will be on campus Saturday, you should really watch this hurling match if you get a chance. Hurling is an irish game described as a cross between "2nd degree manslaughter and lacrosse". And is great "craic" [aka fun] to watch. This is the first game in the US under a new set of rule so it is really special to have it at ND with the best hurlers in Ireland.

The game is from 3pm to about 4, so there will be plenty of time to tailgate and walk around campus before and afterwards. Plus its free admission.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TmzivRetelE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dublinirish]

For those of you who will be on campus Saturday, you should really watch this hurling match if you get a chance. Hurling is an irish game described as a cross between "2nd degree manslaughter and lacrosse". And is great "craic" [aka fun] to watch. This is the first game in the US under a new set of rule so it is really special to have it at ND with the best hurlers in Ireland.

The game is from 3pm to about 4, so there will be plenty of time to tailgate and walk around campus before and afterwards. Plus its free admission.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TmzivRetelE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You are only in the country a few weeks and you are more Irish than the Irish themselves!! HAHA

Just kidding dude, yeah definitely any folks in the vicinity do go along and watch it, its two all star teams, some of of the best players on the planet on show and its free, no excuse!

 

[Ironman8]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>As good a sign as any that Sheldon Day may actually be ready to play this week: Notre Dame will make him available for interviews Wednesday.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDatRivals/statuses/390104346030919681">October 15, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[rtrn2glory]

HUGE...D line is screaming for depth