[November 25, 2006] #5 Notre Dame (10-1) vs #4 Southern Cal (9-1)

[Irish Envy]

vs.

#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) at Southern California Trojans (9-1)
Los Angeles Colesium - Los Angeles, CA
November 25, 2006 - 8:00pm EST​

USC On The Season

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=colhead vAlign=top><TD width=43>DATE</TD><TD width=170>OPPONENT</TD><TD width=100>RESULT/TIME</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>09/02</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at Arkansas</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 50-14</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>09/16</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>#19 Nebraska</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 28-10</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>09/23</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at Arizona</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 20-3</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>09/30</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at Wash St</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 28-22</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>10/07</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>Washington</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 26-20</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>10/14</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>Arizona St</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 28-21</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>10/28</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at Oregon St</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>L 33-31</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>11/04</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at Stanford</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 42-0</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>11/11</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>#21 Oregon</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>W 35-10</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>11/18</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>#8 California</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>8:00 PM</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD width=43>11/25</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>#9 N Dame</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>8:00 PM</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD width=43>12/02</TD><TD width=170><NOBR>at UCLA</NOBR></TD><TD width=125>4:30 PM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=5>2006 Team Statistical Leaders</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top align=right><TD align=left>PASSING</TD><TD>ATT</TD><TD>COMP</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left width="40%">John David Booty</TD><TD width="15%">292</TD><TD width="15%">183</TD><TD width="15%">2142</TD><TD width="15%">20</TD></TR><TR class=colhead vAlign=top align=right><TD align=left>RUSHING</TD><TD>CAR</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>AVG</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Chauncey Washington</TD><TD>132</TD><TD>674</TD><TD>5.1</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Emmanuel Moody</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>459</TD><TD>5.8</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>RECEIVING</TD><TD>REC</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>AVG</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Steve Smith</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>786</TD><TD>16.0</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Dwayne Jarrett</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>507</TD><TD>12.1</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left colSpan=2>TEAM</TD><TD>RUSH</TD><TD>PASS</TD><TD>TOTAL</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left colSpan=2>Offense</TD><TD>148.8</TD><TD>247.2</TD><TD>396</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left colSpan=2>TEAM</TD><TD>PF</TD><TD>PA</TD><TD>MARGIN</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left colSpan=2>Scoring</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>14.8</TD><TD>17.2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>​

 

[Irish Envy]

I've just went back and reviewed USC's box scores from the season and Oregon State did exactly what the Irish would need to do in order to beat the Trojans.

1) No turnovers
2) Force turnovers
3) Control time of possession
4) Limit the big play

Sounds easier said then done, right? Well, the pundits said we had no shot to win last year, too... and that was with the 4-5 first round picks including Leinart, Bush and White. They don't have those guys this year and their running game isn't anywhere near as good as last year. Washington, while good, has been average compared to the backs USC has had in past years. Only 674 yards on the season and has only hit the 100 yard mark twice, once against Arizona State and once against Oregon.

IMO, if we can get a solid rush on Booty and keep Washington under 100 yards, we can win this game. For as good as USC's defense is, they've given up a lot of yards like us, too. Unlike the Pac 10 opponents, I think we can score in the red zone.

Guess we'll see on the 25th.

 

[BGIF]

I've just went back and reviewed USC's box scores from the season and Oregon State did exactly what the Irish would need to do in order to beat the Trojans.

1) No turnovers
2) Force turnovers
3) Control time of possession
4) Limit the big play

Sounds easier said then done, right? Well, the pundits said we had no shot to win last year, too... and that was with the 4-5 first round picks including Leinart, Bush and White. They don't have those guys this year and their running game isn't anywhere near as good as last year. Washington, while good, has been average compared to the backs USC has had in past years. Only 674 yards on the season and has only hit the 100 yard mark twice, once against Arizona State and once against Oregon.

IMO, if we can get a solid rush on Booty and keep Washington under 100 yards, we can win this game. For as good as USC's defense is, they've given up a lot of yards like us, too. Unlike the Pac 10 opponents, I think we can score in the red zone.

Guess we'll see on the 25th.

I think we have a better shot at a pass rush and keeping Washington under 100 yds than forcing turnovers and limiting the big play.

 

[jiggafini19]

Agreed.

SC is starting to click now. Poodle has never lost in November at SC, Charlie hasn't lost on the road. Something will give.

Still don't want to look past Army, but it should be a winner.

 

[dankus]

1) No turnovers
3) Control time of possession

I think these two we will control.

We have only had two turnovers since the Michigan State game, both fumbles, and since we started the first series with the two minute offense it established the rhythm for the remainder of the game.

ND is ahead of USC in time of possession, but not by a wide mark(~30 seconds or so), but I imagine this will be a point of emphasis in Weis' gameplan akin to last years success.

 

[Irish Envy]

I think we have a better shot at a pass rush and keeping Washington under 100 yds than forcing turnovers and limiting the big play.

Well, my forcing turnovers was aimed at their running game as they seem to put it on the carpet quite a bit. As for the big play, well, that's just my own little pipe dream. Ha!

 

[jerseyborn1971]

I think it's obvious CW will go with his "mythodical" gameplan. For some reason, i think we see more Alridge in this game.

If we can get a decent rush on Booty, that will be huge. he is pretty good, but he's not Leinart. I've heard he makes mistakes when he gets pressured.

 

[Freeman Ara]

I've just went back and reviewed USC's box scores from the season and Oregon State did exactly what the Irish would need to do in order to beat the Trojans.

1) No turnovers
2) Force turnovers
3) Control time of possession
4) Limit the big play

Sounds easier said then done, right? Well, the pundits said we had no shot to win last year, too... and that was with the 4-5 first round picks including Leinart, Bush and White. They don't have those guys this year and their running game isn't anywhere near as good as last year. Washington, while good, has been average compared to the backs USC has had in past years. Only 674 yards on the season and has only hit the 100 yard mark twice, once against Arizona State and once against Oregon.

IMO, if we can get a solid rush on Booty and keep Washington under 100 yards, we can win this game. For as good as USC's defense is, they've given up a lot of yards like us, too. Unlike the Pac 10 opponents, I think we can score in the red zone.

Guess we'll see on the 25th.

First off, those are four ingredients to beating any team we play. Second, the game was at home last year and we played absolutely inspired football for 60 minutes, which I think we can do again, however as far as USC's running game they are doing it alot more by commitee this year with all the depth they have at RB so I think those numbers for Washington are somewhat skewed. We haven't played a team with a quality running back since PSU and we still give up huge chunks of yardage on the ground. Now if we can get pressure on Booty that will be key to limiting the big play. We have a chance at winning this but I think its going to have to be a combination of keeping the ball as much as possible and capitilizing for TD's every time we get it, we can't settle for field goals. USC is going to study the Michigan and GT tapes and try to employ those schemes against us. This maybe the first team since Michigan that a team actually has the athletes to slow down our offense. It should be entertaining to watch.

 

[Famboo28]

The thing that scares me most about this year's SC team are both of their recievers, talk about huge playmakers. If we are going to win this game, our defensive backs are going to have to step it up and eliminate the big plays coming from Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett. Also, it will be critical to get in Booty's face and force some INTs.

 

[jiggafini19]

Look at that schedule.

They get a pass on those teams prior to Oregon? Based on what?

 

[sonomairishfan]

I think it's obvious CW will go with his "mythodical" gameplan. For some reason, i think we see more Alridge in this game.

If we can get a decent rush on Booty, that will be huge. he is pretty good, but he's not Leinart. I've heard he makes mistakes when he gets pressured.

i agree. seeing alridge out there on saturday is a sign. i think he will play a big part of the gameplan against the trojans. i hope that he gets some reps against army. not too many, we don't want USC to have much tape on him.

if we pressure booty, we win. i don't think that he will have the composure that leinart had.

we have to protect BQ this game. we can't allow 4 or 5 sacks. he has to have time. we also have to run the ball with power. hence aldridge???? we'll see.....

beat army by 30 points first.

 

[irish24notredame]

I like how they play Cal a week before us. Should be a draining game. Maybe it will help us a little.

 

[tommy]

plus they have ucla behind us its a good spot to be well as good as it gets for a road game

 

[Irish Envy]

So what do you think about next week's game?

 

[marv81s]

Tonight is gonna be a telling game. I hope USC doesn't lose, because I don't want to play a USC team coming off a loss. If anything, GOD forgive me for saying this, I can only hope that one of USC's 5 star RB's go down with injury, as well as Booty and either Jarrett or Smith, then I like our chances next week.

 

[Irish Envy]

They did lose one last game... well, two. They lost Emanuel Moody last week and they also lost Marc Tyler. You want them to lose another? Yeah, that'd be nice.

 

[Famboo28]

Yeah, I really like our chances if USC comes off of a win vs Cal. They will be much less focused going into the game coming off of a win as opposed to losing.

 

[Irish Envy]

We're getting a talented USC team regardless with, like him or not, a talented and skilled head coach. It will be a major accomplishment if we beat them.

 

[Famboo28]

If we beat USC, in my opinion, that could be a huge turning point for this program. It would be a huge statement game to the entire country that we're back. No one would be able to say any longer that we can't beat the good teams.

 

[Vince Young]

My dad called me up during the 4th quarter of the Army game, and we got talking about the USC game. He's already pretty much written-off the game, but I told him I have a good feeling about this one. USC is beatable. As someone else pointed out on here a few days ago, we came close to beating USC last year, and they are almost as good this year... but not quite.

I believe, baby.

I BELIEVE!

 

[Irish Envy]

We can beat USC.

I'm watching this Cal game and if our offensive line can protect Quinn, he can eat alive the USC secondary. They're lost out there against Cal.

 

[marv81s]

I don't know if USC is not all that good or if Cal's D is really that good, but at this rate, maybe I'm giving USC too much credit.

 

[Famboo28]

From what I've been seeing from this game, USC just looks like a sloppy team.

 

[Sweeney6083]

Scary thought

Scary thought

This is my first time all season thinking that we can beat USC. They do look sloppy and much slowier without reggie...

 

[Irish Envy]

I also don't understand why Cal quit going to what was working for them, and that was the deep out route. They were shredding the secondary and instead, they're trying to shove Lynch through the USC front seven... which ain't happening.

 

[lattedatte]

We can beat USC.

I'm watching this Cal game and if our offensive line can protect Quinn, he can eat alive the USC secondary. They're lost out there against Cal.

Thank you, i've been saying that all week. SVO, do you think we should come out in 4 wide? The Carlson injury is f'n killing us, he would have been clutch in this game.

 

[scooper]

The Irish WILL beat SC.

 

[lattedatte]

And Booty is average at best which is exactly what we need from a matchup perspective.

 

[lattedatte]

The Irish WILL beat SC.

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CW "wakes up in the morning and pisses excellence." Ricky Bobby

 

[VictorsValiant]

First, let me say that it's in Michigan's interest to see Nd win, because it's impossible to see Nd vault ahead of a team they lost to badly at the beginning of the season.

That being said, I think there's a lot of wishful thinking here. If Nd loses by less than 14, I think I'll be surprised. There's so much working against Nd.

1. The game is on the road. Enough said. USC hasn't lost at home in forever.
2. USC has a good defense. Just because they rely on their defense now doesn't mean they're "sloppy." It simply means they're balanced.
3. Has Nd's secondary improved enough so they can stop Jarrett and Smith, more refined and talented versions of Mario Manningham? I don't know. Please answer that question for me.
4. Will Nd's defensive line get any pressure on Booty? Has that happened at any time during the year? Again, since I haven't been watching Nd play, I would like to know.
5. Is there any indication that Quinn and the Nd offense will get off to a slow start like they have in virtually every single road game this year?
6. Will USC turn the ball over the way they did against Oregon State? Has Nd forced turnovers this year against the best competition?

You see, it's hard to force turnovers when you can't get pressure on the QB, when you have a questionable secondary, and when the other team has a lot more SPEED on both sides of the ball.

On paper, this has all the makings of a blowout. Obviously, it can go the other way, but you don't have long grass, home field advantage, or any national title hopes now that we lost to OSU. So, doesn't look very good.