Oct 12 | Southern Cal

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Meant to post this in this thread, not the prediction thread:

Our DL must get to the QB; sacks, pressures, hits

Georgia and New Mexico are 3rd and 5th in the country for sack rate: we combined for zero sacks in those two games but we did disrupt their offenses.

USC is 23rd in the country so they are good at getting the ball out quick or they've played poor DLs.

USC Turnover margin: 122nd
ND: 2nd

USC rushing defense: 89th
ND: 61st

USC Passing defense: 78th
ND: 17th

USC sacks: 41st
ND: 35th

USC tackles for loss: 67th
ND: 11th

USC scoring defense: 56th
ND: 13th

USC total defense: 83rd
ND: 39th

USC scrimmage plays of 10+ yds: 102nd
ND: 67th


We must force TOs and make the QB uncomfortable. Our defense must wrap up and they must go for the ball.

There should be some precipitation so hopefully that helps our cause.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

There should be some precipitation so hopefully that helps our cause.

Cold and wet should help out for sure. USC will be fired up but if there's one thing they can't really prepare for it's Midwest weather in October.

They were extremely effective at getting the ball out quickly but they can't rely on Daniels' accuracy for this match up.

With that in mind, agree that getting pressure is essential so if they can't hit the first read, he doesn't have all day to find the open man.

If we can run the ball like we did in the 2nd half against UVA, I like our chances. Interested to see how much action Armstrong sees as well.

 

[arrowryan]

Couple things...



1.) Notre Dame’s secondary is giving up 179 yards rushing per game. That’s pretty darn good. Only QB to pass fore more than 200 is Bryce Perkins.

2.) No one knows how good that win against Utah was. The PAC 12 is always a fraud. We’re barely into October and the Pac 12 is basically eliminated from playoff contention.

3.) I fully expect the pass rush to be on full display on Saturday night

 

[Free Manera]

Jafar is 2nd on the depth chart for USC.

 

[ThePiombino]

Jafar is 2nd on the depth chart for USC.

This would be a pleasant surprise. Last I heard he was ruled out until the bye or Michigan game.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

This would be a pleasant surprise. Last I heard he was ruled out until the bye or Michigan game.

Apparently he warmed up in uniform for BG.

 

[Irish#1]

It worked for them pretty well last year against ND.

IMO, D-line is doing a better job this year than last year.

 

[BabyIrish]

Jafar is 2nd on the depth chart for USC.

Kelly is hoping for 15-20 snaps for Jafar if all goes well with his testing on Tuesday

 

[GowerND11]

https://wearesc.com/musings-from-arledge-the-streak-the-empire-and-usc-notre-dame/

 

[rtrn2glory]

this one just scares me. last year i thought we'd smack them and didn't.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

https://wearesc.com/musings-from-arledge-the-streak-the-empire-and-usc-notre-dame/

This guy's a unicorn. Every other USC "fan" I've ever met simply starts repping the Raiders when the Trogans take a dump.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I don't think there is a single Pac-12 team that I would consider good.

Utah and Washington are both solid run defenses, but they are sketchy in their secondary.

Neither are particularly good at rushing the passer either. ND is very good at rushing the passer and defending the pass.

I think we need to remember that, while USC is very talented at receiver, ND is very talented at defensive back in their own right.

If ND comes in with the right mindset, I think they are the better coached and better prepared team by a wide margin.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I don't think there is a single Pac-12 team that I would consider good.

Utah and Washington are both solid run defenses, but they are sketchy in their secondary.

Neither are particularly good at rushing the passer either. ND is very good at rushing the passer and defending the pass.

I think we need to remember that, while USC is very talented at receiver, ND is very talented at defensive back in their own right.

If ND comes in with the right mindset, I think they are the better coached and better prepared team by a wide margin.

Pittman and Vaughs are two solid receivers. Definitely a match up worth watching as the game progresses. Their RB can hurt you out of the backfield as well.

 

[Crazy Balki]

this one just scares me. last year i thought we'd smack them and didn't.

ND was on the tail-end of a November where they had to travel an insane amount of miles, going from South Bend to San Diego, then to Chicago, then to New York and then back to Los Angeles. Not to mention, they had to play a top 15 team in Syracuse the week prior.

This game is also in South Bend, rather than LA. That makes a huge difference, because USC is quite good at home. They've only lost 3 games at home under Helton, all have been within 1 score. USC has lost 12 games under Helton on the road, 9 of which were by double digits. Weather could also play a factor, as it's suppose to be cold and windy on Saturday.

In addition, while Daniels was a true freshman last year, he was more experienced than Fink or Slovis. Regardless of which QB starts, it will only be their 3rd full start ever, while Daniels was going into his 12th.

 

[koonja]

I think Marquis Step is going to have a surprisngly good game.

 

[greyhammer90]

I think Marquis Step is going to have a surprisngly good game.

There's a name I've completely forgotten about. Does he start?

 

[D-BOE34]

There's a name I've completely forgotten about. Does he start?

Last I saw he was 3rd string

 

[Old Man Mike]

Two cents: I've watched that defense. They are not very good (considering their athletes) BUT those defensive tackles "need a good leavin' alone." That's not the good place to go if you want consistent success. Also they have one good DBack --- very good. If Long just generally stays away from those people, our offense should be fine.

Offensively, it has been almost all Pittman (a real disciplined pro) and Vaughns (a spectacular elite talent who is a little of a head case.) DANGEROUS. St. Brown is very good, just a touch lesser than the others. I saw Stepp come in the last game and he looked very physical. Despite Pittman and Vaughns (and the issue of the mystery of QB) I am not worried about an offensive explosion --- just a small number of good plays. Why? Why else: Clark Lea.

 

[Wild Bill]

USC finds ways to lose on the road, but turnovers are by far their favorite way to lose winnable games.

The Washington and BYU games are both great examples this year. BYU had three takeways and stole a win. USC slightly outplayed Washington a couple weeks ago and still lost by a couple scores b/c they threw some picks and Washington turned them into points.

Utah dominated them statistically but basically shit themselves in the red zone - I think they had 7 trips total, kicked three FGs, missed one FG and fumbled. Basically, five of their 7 trips to the red zone turned into a total of 9 points. Sure, USC played a part in stopping them but it had more to do with Utah shooting themselves in the foot.

USC is soft, aren't coached particularly well and lack discipline. On top of that, Helton is on the verge of losing his job. USC fought back against Washington so I'm guessing he hasn't lost the team but his players fully understand he's getting clipped sooner than later. If ND starts fast, they'll fold.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Pittman and Vaughs are two solid receivers. Definitely a match up worth watching as the game progresses. Their RB can hurt you out of the backfield as well.

Don't forget about Aman-Ra St. Brown. They have three VERY viable options at WR.

Crucial we remain healthy at DB. We play two of the best WR groups in the country in the next three weeks.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Just get up by 2 TD's by halftime and USC will fold. I'm expecting the outcome of this game to be similar to the 2017 game.

 

[Irish#1]

USC finds ways to lose on the road, but turnovers are by far their favorite way to lose winnable games.

The Washington and BYU games are both great examples this year. BYU had three takeways and stole a win. USC slightly outplayed Washington a couple weeks ago and still lost by a couple scores b/c they threw some picks and Washington turned them into points.

Utah dominated them statistically but basically shit themselves in the red zone - I think they had 7 trips total, kicked three FGs, missed one FG and fumbled. Basically, five of their 7 trips to the red zone turned into a total of 9 points. Sure, USC played a part in stopping them but it had more to do with Utah shooting themselves in the foot.

USC is soft, aren't coached particularly well and lack discipline. On top of that, Helton is on the verge of losing his job. USC fought back against Washington so I'm guessing he hasn't lost the team but his players fully understand he's getting clipped sooner than later. If ND starts fast, they'll fold.

Against BYU the were making it rain yellow with flags. Several were unsportsmanlike penalties.

 

[condoms SUCk]

It's getting colder, Saturday high is 48 with showers in the morning and a low of 39. Winds WSW at 10-20 mph.
I fear the Irish Wear Green effort is going to suffer.

 

[greyhammer90]

My Dearest Joanna,

It's getting colder, Saturday high is 48 with showers in the morning and a low of 39. Winds WSW at 10-20 mph. I fear the Irish Wear Green effort is going to suffer. Pray for me and God willing we'll give these Trojans a good licking and I'll be home all the sooner to your embrace.

Yours very truly,

condoms SUCk

*Ashokan Farewell plays softly in the background*

 

[condoms SUCk]

*Ashokan Farewell plays softly in the background*

Bwahahaha, perfect.

(Now I'll have Ashokan stuck in my head the rest of the afternoon, which is OK by me.)

 

[koonja]

It's getting colder, Saturday high is 48 with showers in the morning and a low of 39. Winds WSW at 10-20 mph.
I fear the Irish Wear Green effort is going to suffer.

Shut up and burn the boat. FUSC.

 

[Rudy89]

I hope we are on our game and don’t make mistakes like we have the other half decent teams we have played.

 

[Irishize]

Don't forget about Aman-Ra St. Brown. They have three VERY viable options at WR.

Crucial we remain healthy at DB. We play two of the best WR groups in the country in the next three weeks.

I agree w/ all of this. SC may have the best WR corps other than Bama & Clemson. All 3 will be millionaires soon. Meatchicken’s corps is right behind them.

We will really need Shaun Crawford for this game. I suspect we will see a lot of zone looks which can be frustrating for fans b/c their run game could get some rhythm or the QB (gotta think it’s Slovis) gets hot like Perkins in the 1st half of the UVA game.

SC’s got some great LB IMO. The freshman DE (Drake ?) is a beast. Their secondary, thankfully; isn’t as good as last year’s (don’t miss Biggie Marshall).

I like Pete Sampson’s analogy of SCum being a punch drunk fighter who can still land enough haymakers to hurt you.

 

[Greenore]

https://wearesc.com/musings-from-arledge-the-streak-the-empire-and-usc-notre-dame/

Was that article full, hardcore sarcasm?

My vision is not that good and I read it a few times and my only conclusion is that it is satire. I am not being facetious.

Am I right? Is it sarcasm?

Cheers and Go Irish!!

BTW - I never really hated USC or USC fans until I attended "THE GAME" in 2015. I had never encountered such pretentious individuals in my life... well, maybe at Disneyland a few years earlier.

 

[Valpodoc85]

Greenore, This is an SC grad trying to pretend he has an ND education. Sad isn't it.