Week Six Prediction Poll (USC @ ND)

[gkIrish]

Spread is ND -10.5

Votes are public.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I think ND either covers or loses straight up. Leaning towards a beat down right now, but we'll see how I feel on Saturday (I'll feel scared)

 

[IrishLax]

The question is simply whether or not ND can run competent offense. USC has shown the ability to move the ball and score points, but they aren't shutting teams down. They give up 20+ in every game. But last year, they absolutely had a game plan to stop Book (as did a few other teams over the latter half of the season).

On the flip side, Clark Lea has yet to let an opponent score more than 30. That's the magic number. So I'm predicting something like ND 31 USC 24. They certainly have the talent to pull of the upset based on what we've seen from our secondary.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

ND by 17; ND 34 - fUSC 17

 

[BabyIrish]

ND-23 USC-10

 

[notredomer23]

When have we never not been up for a home night game under Kelly?

2018: Michigan and FSU
2017: USC & UGA
2016: Erased from my memory
2015: Texas and USC
2014: Michigan
2013: USC
2012: Michigan

Outscored opponents on average by 17.5 in those games. So with that said, ND 34, USC 17

 

[GreenGemsOmally]

USC's skill players are really talented. They're going to score some points, but I feel confident that our defense will get a few crucial stops and/or turnovers. Additionally, our offense is starting to really click and I don't have much stock in USC's defense being able to do a whole lot to slow us down.

It'll be a tight fought game against our rival. ND 33 - USC 24.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'm still thinking through this one but I like how the matchup lines up for ND. On offense the return of Jafar could be huge (or not if he's not 100%) but either way I expect to see a lot of 12 personnel to beat up on USC's defensive front.

As for the defense, USC had success last year by keeping Sears to 3 step drops and rifling it in front of the safeties. That's absolutely not Slovis's game. A combination of an effective pass rush and an excellent pass-defending free safety in Hamilton might eat him alive. The question is whether ND will pressure and give USC some one-on-one matchups on the outside or whether they will tend to sit back, rely on the DL for pressure, and dare Slovis to fit the ball into zone coverage or try to throw over the top.

This is a game for the tight ends, Kyle Hamilton, and JOK to shine.

EDIT: Aw crap, I forgot that was Fink playing in the Washington game. Slovis is a clearly superior passer based on the Stanford game.

 

[EvilleIrish]

When have we never not been up for a home night game under Kelly?

2018: Michigan and FSU
2017: USC & UGA
2016: Erased from my memory
2015: Texas and USC
2014: Michigan
2013: USC
2012: Michigan

Outscored opponents on average by 17.5 in those games. So with that said, ND 34, USC 17

2011 USC game. I was there and witnessed the 99 yard fumble return. Good times.

 

[notredomer23]

2011 USC game. I was there and witnessed the 99 yard fumble return. Good times.

Same. Intentionally started in 2012 lol. Was at USF 2011 too. Two 99 yard fumble returns in one year. Not great.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

This has the feel of Stanford last year. I think both teams will deal blows early, but I like our D to settle down once Clark Lea gets a feel for what they are trying to do.

This seems to have been a little bit of a pattern this year, especially with UL and UVA, with opposing offenses starting relatively quickly only to be stifled after adjustments are implemented.

Then in the second half I think we pull away, get a comfortable three score lead and don't look back. I really like Michael Young Saturday; I think the attention will be on Claypool and Kmet. Both will still make plays but if they're leaving the DB on Young's side of the field on an island, I think he will take advantage.

Irish 34
fUSC 17

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I think too many are giving USC's offense too much credit. ND has an elite front seven and pretty good secondary too. Yadda, yadda Utah whatever. This Irish team is gonna handle USC. 35-14 and it wont feel that close.

I've been right on 4 out of 5 games in this prediction thread (didn't have ND beating NM by quite that many). So naturally this prediction is going to be way off as ND loses or wins a close one.

 

[Irish#1]

I think too many are giving USC's offense too much credit. ND has an elite front seven and pretty good secondary too. Yadda, yadda Utah whatever. This Irish team is gonna handle USC. 35-14 and it wont feel that close.

I've been right on 4 out of 5 games in this prediction thread (didn't have ND beating NM by quite that many). So naturally this prediction is going to be way off as ND loses or wins a close one.

Agree, our lines on both sides are better than theirs and that's where it starts. If USC goes with a three step drop to offset the rush, I see Lea using some schemes where we drop an extra guy or two.

 

[gkIrish]

I think USC will drive down the field early with scripted plays but the defense will do its job after that. This game never really feels in doubt after halftime.

ND 38
USC 20

 

[Riddickulous]

We won't cover but we'll take care of business. Something like 28-20.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think USC will move the ball with some big plays but will settle for field goals or field goal tries. It'll be important for ND to continue their redzone success and take advantage of those opportunities as they've done all year. I'm going to go 27-20, ND. Game is closer than we'd like but we get the win.

 

[ThePiombino]

ND win, SC cover.

35-27

 

[T Town Tommy]

ND

31-20

 

[Irishnuke]

35-24 ND

 

[IrishLion]

Shades of 2017, just not quiiiiiiiiite as dominant.

ND 38
USC 14

Pride and Bracy finally get some chances to make plays on less-than-perfect throws, so despite USC's talent at the skill positions, our guys are up for the challenge.

When USC stops trying to throw to the sidelines and asks their frosh or 3rd-string QB to test the middle/deep parts of the field, the three-headed-monster at safety will feast.

Long will have a good plan in place, and Book will continue the quick-read vibes he was putting out last week. If his first read isn't there, he'll pull it or check down. Armstrong will have limited touches, but will score on a 20+ yard checkdown play where no one is around him. Kmet and Tremble will both catch TD's down the seam.

USC will fold after scoring 14 in the first half, and we will witness the end of the Clay Helton era as Tony Jones Jr. demoralizes USC's defense with repeated chunk runs late in the game.

 

[ACamp1900]

These Trojans don’t break,... 42-13 SC


Honestly though, I expect a solid win.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

These Trojans don’t break,... 42-13 SC


Honestly though, I expect a solid win.

42-13 isn't solid enough?

 

[irishtrooper]

31-17. They hang early, ND pulls away as the defense settles in to put the game away early 4th quarter 31-10. They score a meaningless TD as the game winds down. A bit skittish early, but really never in doubt. This USC team doesn’t play well on the road and they don’t run the ball like they’d need to in order to pull the upset. The Utah game that has everyone scared was at SC and they just aren’t the same away. I feel like at home, SC just can’t hang with a very good defense and we should take care of business.

I’m interested to see the nickel and dime packages as they won’t see talent like this often. Also, the d line needs to create pressure (even if they don’t get home) with 4 instead of sending the house. Keep them in front of you until our pass rush gets going, then press and create very small windows as they try to use the quick passing game a la UGA. The problem is their QB ain’t Fromm and their line is nowhere near UGA. I think it has the possibility of getting out of hand in our favor if their inexperienced QB tries forcing it to the WRs. They have skill, but we are way better on defense and I like our trenches better too.

 

[koonja]

I'm predicting ND to win by 20, but this also has a 2011-feel to it where the coach was a dead man walking, USC had elite skill but underperformed, and came in and beat us.

Hold me I'm Irish.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Kiffin wasn't a dead man walking in 2011 and whoever trots out at QB for SC will be nowhere near as good as Matt Barkley was that season.

 

[koonja]

Kiffin wasn't a dead man walking in 2011 and whoever trots out at QB for SC will be nowhere near as good as Matt Barkley was that season.

You haven't been hurt enough.

 

[zelezo vlk]

You haven't been hurt enough.

This would probably be closer to 2015 SC where the Trojans gave ND a much tighter game than we anticipated and could have won the game, ending ND's playoff hopes 5 weeks earlier than what ended up happening

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

We've won 3 of the last 4 and 5/7. If we can go 4/5 against fUSC, man what a good feeling after the Pete Carroll years.

I feel more confident about this one than I did back in 2017. There's a lot more going in our favor and they have a young QB, whichever one it is, making a start in the road in (what should be) a pretty hyped up ND crowd under the lights. Add in cold/windy evening, I really like our chances.

 

[GATTACA!]

USC sucks. Lea is going to pants their 3rd or 4th QB or whatever they're down to.

41-17 Irish

 

[Valpodoc85]

If this turns into a physical game. SC folds like a lawn chair