USC vs. Utah

[Black Irish]

So what do the rest of you expect and/or want to see out of this game? I'm in a similar position on this game as I was on USC versus Stanford. I never root for a USC win and I would love to see them get smacked around by an unranked team. And the Irish beating the Trojans is always sweet whether USC is 11-0 or 0-11 going into the game.

That being said, I think it'll work more to Notre Dame's advantage if USC hasn't taken too many losses going into the last week. Beating a one-loss Trojan team looks better than if USC has 2-3 defeats on its record. USC is a 14 point favorite, but I'm hoping Utah keeps it close and the Trojans escape with a narrow, ugly win. Oh, and Barkley throwing a couple of picks and taking a few sacks is icing on the cake.

 

[NDdomer2]

Sorry, but I continue to hope for them to lose and that we embarrass them so bad that all 15 of their commits reconsider.

 

[calvegas04]

I would be cool if usc lost every game for the next 100 years

 

[koonja]

I will never route for USC unless them beating someone opens up a NC game for us. Never.

 

[NDinFL]

I will never route for USC unless them beating someone opens up a NC game for us. Never.

But, would you root for them?

 

[koonja]

But, would you root for them?

Nope, wouldn't do that either. Lol.

 

[BGIF]

I would be cool if usc lost every game for the next 100 years

I rather see them go 12-1 every year with that one loss being to ND on a blocked or missed extra point.

Boosts our SOS and at the same time ND fans can console their Trojan neighbors and co-workers with, "If it hadn't been for that extra point, you guys would be National Champions. Damn what a shame. So close. What's that make it now 5, #1 recruiting classes in a row, 5 Pac 12 Championships, Second Place 5 consecutive times in both Polls, and only 5 losses in 5 years by a total of less 5 points - even combined still less than a touchdown. You guys just can't catch a break."

 

[Black Irish]

I rather see them go 12-1 every year with that one loss being to ND on a blocked or missed extra point.

Boosts our SOS and at the same time ND fans can console their Trojan neighbors and co-workers with, "If it hadn't been for that extra point, you guys would be National Champions. Damn what a shame. So close. What's that make it now 5, #1 recruiting classes in a row, 5 Pac 12 Championships, Second Place 5 consecutive times in both Polls, and only 5 losses in 5 years by a total of less 5 points - even combined still less than a touchdown. You guys just can't catch a break."

Why would we ever console Trojan fans?

Just kidding, hilarious post

 

[NDTH91]

Nope, I would rather have them lose every game forever and ever.

With regards to what makes us "look good" as far as strength of schedule. If we win out, it won't matter if we beat an 11-0 usc or an 0-11 usc. We essentially control our own destiny as long as we keep winning.

 

[ClausentoTate]

This could be an interesting game. I honestly have no idea how either team will play.

 

[BGIF]

Nope, I would rather have them lose every game forever and ever.

With regards to what makes us "look good" as far as strength of schedule. If we win out, it won't matter if we beat an 11-0 usc or an 0-11 usc. We essentially control our own destiny as long as we keep winning.

There is no glory in beating an 0-11 team. Anybody can beat them. Everybody did.

Likewise there's no difference in the pain from the loss to you if they also lost to the likes of Applachian St and Cal Poly Slo. But let them be undefeated, Conference Champions, #1 in the Polls, and have victory snatched from their grasp then the pain will be intense and the scars will linger longer than an off season.

 

[BGIF]

Why would we ever console Trojan fans?

...

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

 

[DillonHall]

I'm rooting for USC to beat Oregon then lose the Pac-12 championship game (probably a rematch with Oregon)

 

[CTIDANDREW]

Nope, I would rather have them lose every game forever and ever.

With regards to what makes us "look good" as far as strength of schedule. If we win out, it won't matter if we beat an 11-0 usc or an 0-11 usc. We essentially control our own destiny as long as we keep winning.

I like the thought here. But, there would be a huge up-roar if Oregon and Alabama both went undefeated and we jumped one of them.

 

[BGIF]

I like the thought here. But, there would be a huge up-roar if Oregon and Alabama both went undefeated and we jumped one of them.

In days of old this could happen as ND was a bowl administrator's favorite ($$$) and ND opted for the toughest opponent (unlike the loser thread here).

SEC Commissioner and first BCS Czar Roy Kramer closed that door when he recreated the SEC into Divisions, watered down their schedules to maximize bowl eligible teams, brokered contracts for automatic bowls for 6th and 7th ranked conference teams, fostered the Conference Title Game to get an after season boost in the polls for one of his conference teams almost guaranteeing them a BCS Title Game Slot, and finessed the secretative Coaches Poll into being a principal part of the decision making process.

Alabama boosters lobbied long and hard with Kramer to see that ND was never in a postion to "rob them of a National Championship like they did in '77" when #5 ND crushed #1 Texas, and # 2 and #3 lost and ND soared to #1 in the both polls over #4 Alabama.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I like the thought here. But, there would be a huge up-roar if Oregon and Alabama both went undefeated and we jumped one of them.

I must be missing something. A 12-0 ND team with our schedule will not face up-roar if we make the NCG.

ND will be in the National Championship if we go 12-0, period. We'll have a top ten schedule come end of the year, if not a top five schedule.

 

[NDTH91]

I must be missing something. A 12-0 ND team with our schedule will not face up-roar if we make the NCG.

ND will be in the National Championship if we go 12-0, period. We'll have a top ten schedule come end of the year, if not a top five schedule.

Yup.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

I've got a feeling USC is going to destroy the Utes. I don't think USC loses again until the last game of the season against us.

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

And yes, I think USC beats Oregon too. They will beat them during the regular season, then lose to them in the Pac12 Champ.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

This could be an interesting game. I honestly have no idea how either team will play.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/23kFiqFiOlA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[CTIDANDREW]

I must be missing something. A 12-0 ND team with our schedule will not face up-roar if we make the NCG.

ND will be in the National Championship if we go 12-0, period. We'll have a top ten schedule come end of the year, if not a top five schedule.

I love the optimism man, believe me I want to feel the same. However, if Oregon continues to impress like they're and have a number of quality wins (Standford, USC twice, Arizona, Washington, Oregon State) by years end. I just don't see how the polls could justify us jumping them. Could we hell yes. Would it be fair, that is not up to me to decide.

 

[IrishEyesAreSmiling]

if utah beat usc hahahaha

 

[DillonHall]

I must be missing something. A 12-0 ND team with our schedule will not face up-roar if we make the NCG.

ND will be in the National Championship if we go 12-0, period. We'll have a top ten schedule come end of the year, if not a top five schedule.

Our strength of schedule isn't that impressive at this point. None of the four opponents we've beaten is currently ranked.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I love the optimism man, believe me I want to feel the same. However, if Oregon continues to impress like they're and have a number of quality wins (Standford, USC twice, Arizona, Washington, Oregon State) by years end. I just don't see how the polls could justify us jumping them. Could we hell yes. Would it be fair, that is not up to me to decide.

1. Incredibly over rated.

2. They are only in there because of a win after a short week against Stanford.

Quality wins against USC, Stanford, one of the B1G schools we've beat (at least one will have a good year), Oklahoma on the road (which is doesn't matter, winning in Norman is an amazing feat), no FCS schools on the schedule. Not to mention the national coverage of Navy game, night game at MSU, night game against UM, night game against a Miami team that is the third best team in the ACC. Add in a dash of the BCS computer components already loving us and you have ND in the NCG.

We'll have just as many if not more quality wins than Oregon if we go undefeated. Also no Arkansas States or Tennessee Techs on the sheet either. The weakest teams on ND schedule are Navy and WF. The quality teams are the same and/or better than that of Oregon's schedule.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Our strength of schedule isn't that impressive at this point. None of the four opponents we've beaten is currently ranked.

I said end of the year.

 

[Black Irish]

In days of old this could happen as ND was a bowl administrator's favorite ($$$) and ND opted for the toughest opponent (unlike the loser thread here).

SEC Commissioner and first BCS Czar Roy Kramer closed that door when he recreated the SEC into Divisions, watered down their schedules to maximize bowl eligible teams, brokered contracts for automatic bowls for 6th and 7th ranked conference teams, fostered the Conference Title Game to get an after season boost in the polls for one of his conference teams almost guaranteeing them a BCS Title Game Slot, and finessed the secretative Coaches Poll into being a principal part of the decision making process.

Alabama boosters lobbied long and hard with Kramer to see that ND was never in a postion to "rob them of a National Championship like they did in '77" when #5 ND crushed #1 Texas, and # 2 and #3 lost and ND soared to #1 in the both polls over #4 Alabama.

Wow, more anti-Notre Dame prejudice, from the SEC no less

"I'm shocked, shocked to find out there is gambling taking place here"
"Here are your winnings, Commissioner"

 

[DillonHall]

I said end of the year.

How in the world do you think you can predict our strength of schedule 8 weeks from now?

 

[ACamp1900]

How in the world do you think you can predict our strength of schedule 8 weeks from now?

You mad because you ain't magical??

 

[irishfanjho15]

How in the world do you think you can predict our strength of schedule 8 weeks from now?

Everyone predicted it from the beginning of the season.

And I've studied the schedules of all of our opponents and I have watched every one of Purdue's games, Michigan's games, MSU's games, Oklahoma's games, Stanford's games, all but one USC's and Miami's games. Two of Pitt's games, four of BYU's games, three of BC's games. Only two Navy games and one WF game. And that's just our direct opponents. I watch a lot of other games too that include common opponents and barometer games, if you will.

If you want to discuss it further we can, but probably best to do through PMs. People make predictions all the time and I use the DVR at home and also use ESPN3's replays to watch games constantly through my long and boring work week. I'm not trying to be a d!ck, but I watch more college football in a week than a lot people watch in a season.

IMHO, I see our schedule being a top ten schedule (at least top 20, or as good as top 5) when it's all said and done. It helps that we play zero true cupcakes, like FSU and Oregon have. Our schedule will be stronger than that of FSU or Oregon by years end. And the BCS computer components already released love us. This is why I believe we get into the NCG if we go 12-0. Also IMHO, I think it much less likely that we go 12-0 than have a top five, top ten, or top twenty schedule.

 

[STLDomer]

Whoa.

Holmes (USC C) vs Star Lotelei (bad sp?, UTAH DT) is a amazing match up.

Holmes (probably was worrying about Star Lotelei) just snapped it on the turf, Barkely stripped -> TD UTAH!!