ND-USC Predictions

[The Polish Irishman]

Is the Irish offense to much for the USC defense to handle? Will the USC running backs go wild breaking tackles? Does Golden pull a Zibby on punt returns? Are you drinking Green Kool Aid this week?

So what is you prediction for Saturday?

 

[jason_h537]

Notre Dame 28
USC 17

 

[phork]

I have no doubts about the ND offense. If ND can get the running game going, then Jimmy will carve them up. But don't expect another last minute miracle if ND is in that situation against USC.

The defense is another story. Are they going to rally around that huge 8 play goal line stand, or will they be the defense that continually loses its jockstrap to any fake in the book?

I think Jimmy has a big day, solidifies his hold on the Heisman and ND wins 27-14.

 

[Steve]

I have no doubts about the ND offense. If ND can get the running game going, then Jimmy will carve them up. But don't expect another last minute miracle if ND is in that situation against USC.

The defense is another story. Are they going to rally around that huge 8 play goal line stand, or will they be the defense that continually loses its jockstrap to any fake in the book?

I think Jimmy has a big day, solidifies his hold on the Heisman and ND wins 27-14.

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww lol i'm stunned.

 

[irishfan]

34-23. 3rd and 2 on our own 30 with 2 mins left and Armando breaks out a 70 yarder to seal it (not sure exactly how he will outrun taylor mays but ya)

 

[daytonirish]

Not any good at score predictions but I do think the IRISH win this one.

 

[IrishSLC]

ND - 30
USC - 24

Defense makes a huge play to secure the win.

GO IRISH!

 

[IrishRamMan10]

USC 42
ND 28

 

[NDFLA]

Hate to say it, but our D sucks. Hope that I'm wrong, but I say 37 - 31 USC. They win it in the end, just like 05 with a broken tackle for a long TD run this time. Please step up D and prove me wrong.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Hate to say it, but our D sucks. Hope that I'm wrong, but I say 37 - 31 USC. They win it in the end, just like 05 with a broken tackle for a long TD run this time. Please step up D and prove me wrong.

I couldn't agree more. This ND offense has saved the defense three weeks in a row. Defense cannot rely on the offense to go 80 yards down the field with 45 seconds left and score on this USC defense. They are ranked 5th in the nation for a reason. Their front four can stop the run WITHOUT a blitz and secondary is solid. They also rotate in a lot of guys on the D line, so they aren't going to get tired often.

The more time the ND offense eats up with long drives and running clock the better. If ND's defense can't stop the run they dont' stand a chance. USC's o line is one of the best in the nation, joe mcknight is capable of anything, and USC gets their best TE and WR back for this game.

ND has to play mistake free in all 3 phases of the game and hope for a few barkley mistakes. On paper this doesn't look pretty, but anything is possible in South Bend.

God I hate USC...beat the hell out of em

 

[Seanthornton]

ND 38 USC 24 Clausen Carves up USC secondary, USC has little success colapsing the pocket. ND Defence awakens and comes up big with a couple of int's thrown by an inexperienced USC QB. WE hold on to win .........

Im more afraid of the ND Boston College game then this one.

You gotta believe gentleman !!!

KEEP THE FAITH !!!

GO IRISH !!!

 

[PADOMERNUT]

This is going to be one long f'n week

 

[TDHeysus]

No.
Probably. (running wild, yes; breaking tackles, not sure)
No.
Always.

ND by 4, Clausen drives the offense for a game winning drive.

Basically, the same as the '05 game, except no 4th and 9 this time.

 

[bert2834]

If Phork is calling for a win, we have to win!

28-13 ND wins!!!

 

[tommyIRISH23]

34-30 ND wins

 

[Dacian_Irish]

I think our defense comes out and has the game of the year. I have a feeling they will play good defense and get some turnovers.

On the other hand... I think our offense is going to struggle a little bit.

In the end I think we pull it out and win!

NotreDame - 24 - 17

 

[FrankMA]

I think our defense comes out and has the game of the year. I have a feeling they will play good defense and get some turnovers.

On the other hand... I think our offense is going to struggle a little bit.

In the end I think we pull it out and win!

NotreDame - 24 - 17

I agree with the your assessment of the ND D and the offense. But, I think SC prevails 24-21.

 

[nlroma1o]

I predict that the offense will start out strong. Halftime will be either tied or within 3. 3rd quarter both offenses sputter, and the 4th is gonna be a shoot out. ND wins 34-28.

Here Come the Irisih!!!

 

[Swash]

D steps it up, O is fine where it's at. I see either a) a long punt/kick return or b) a long interception, possible a pick 6.

USC 24 ND 34

 

[JefMaj]

I think we'll have to put 30 on them -
discounting the San Jose game they put up about 23 ppg - discounting the Nevada game we put up 33 ppg
Common sense says: Because of their defense - they keep us 6 less than our avg (by 2 FGs) and because of our defense we allow them a TD over their avg - we get 27 - 30 in favor of USC.
However, not so fast my friend, in reality I expect Manti steps up on the run, KPL plays great as well as Neal. This allows the CBs and Kyle and Harrison to get in the flow , getting screens as well as play up and cut off the slants- so we keep them below above expectations and we see 27 - 27, then with the luck of the Irish and intangibles (we're due) 30 - 27 in favor of the Irish. And I did all that straight and sober - and yes on another thread - so you may still be straight and sober.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I am going to predict a long distance field goal to win the game for ND. SC tries to mount a final drive, but defense picks off Barkley to seal the victory.

 

[jfjkd01]

We win by 1, Notre Dame 25 - SC 24.

 

[Riddickulous]

34-23. 3rd and 2 on our own 30 with 2 mins left and Armando breaks out a 70 yarder to seal it (not sure exactly how he will outrun taylor mays but ya)

Mays is burned on a devastating cut by Golden Tate on a long touchdown catch, breaking his ankle and effectively rendering him useless. Thus, he is not on the field when Allen breaks the long run.

D steps it up, O is fine where it's at. I see either a) a long punt/kick return or b) a long interception, possible a pick 6.

USC 24 ND 34

I also see a big special teams play and/or a long pick.


Early on, Joe McKnight will fumble and Matt Barkley will throw an interception. Notre Dame enters halftime with a 17-7 lead.

USC comes out strong in the second half and scores a touchdown. Notre Dame adds a field goal, but USC strikes again to take the lead. Down 21-20, Jimmy Clausen leads the Irish offense down the field in a long, time consuming drive that takes about half of the quarter. Robert Hughes pounds it in and the Irish miss a two point conversion attempt. Down 26-21, USC has a huge play on the initial play of their next drive, bogs down in the red zone and kicks a field goal with about 4 minutes left. Now 26-24, the Irish pound the ball to about the fifty. Armando Allen breaks open a huge run for a touchdown, giving the Irish a 33-24 lead with a little over a minute left. Barkley is intercepted again trying to achieve a miracle.

ND 33, USC 24

 

[Swash]

We win by 1, Notre Dame 25 - SC 24.

Are you expecting a few safeties, or a missed field goal and a safety?

 

[Riddickulous]

Are you expecting a few safeties, or a missed field goal and a safety?

Maybe Notre Dame will be down 24-17. Notre Dame scores and goes for 2.

 

[goody32]

If the defense can show the heart that they showed on those goal line stands against Washington, and the crowd can get in Barkley's head, I see an Irish win. If the defense does not show up, no matter how well Jimmy and the offense play, we will be playing catch-up all game.

If the game goes into the 4th quarter as a one score game either way, ND will win.

Catholics over Contraceptives 34-31

 

[jfjkd01]

Are you expecting a few safeties, or a missed field goal and a safety?

We are down 24-17 late in the 4th quarter.The game comes down to the last 30-45 seconds, instead of tying and going into overtime, ND converts a 2 point conversion winning the game. It wouldn't surprise me if this happened.........FYI in the 1999 SC game we won 25-21, I wouldn't be surprise if this is the score for 2009 game.....

Touchdown/extra point, Touchdown/extra point, Field Goal, Touchdown/2-Point Conversion

 

[Swash]

Ahh, forgot about 2 pt. conversions. My Bad ... now I feel dumb. I spent about 3 minuets trying to go through all scenarios to reach 25, just not that scenario.

 

[phork]

Ahh, forgot about 2 pt. conversions. My Bad ... now I feel dumb. I spent about 3 minuets trying to go through all scenarios to reach 25, just not that scenario.

How about 3 TDs without an extra point, and 1 TD with. 25 points. I'd really love it if it was 9 safeties and a TD.

 

[Riddickulous]

How about 3 TDs without an extra point, and 1 TD with. 25 points. I'd really love it if it was 9 safeties and a TD.

Blasphemy. Nick Tausch would never miss three extra points.