USC v ND

[ravenmaniac]

Can anyone explain to me why the public is all over Notre Dame in this game on Saturday. I look for USC to roll up an easy win. USC -12 is a gift. USC is in the top 6 nationally in every offensive catagory including first in total offense (640 yards a game), first in rushing yards (almost 300 yards/game) and second nationally in scoring 51 points/game. While I agree Coach Weis has upgraded the ND program it has been almost all on offense. When you analyze it who has Notre Dame really beaten, Pittsburgh, Washington, Michigan, Purdue. Before the season started it looked like those would be really good teams and for ND to beat them would be an accomplishment. However we have since seen that none of those 4 teams are really any good. The only top team they played was Michigan State and MSU beat then in South Bend laying 44 points on the ND defense. Notre Dame's defense is ranked 94th nationally in total defense allowing 422 yards per game and 24 points. Even Pitt put up 21 points and they have one of the worse offenses in Division 1A. In comparison Arkansas' defense is ranked 93rd nationally in total defense and USC hung 70 points on them earlier in the year. As long as USC doesn't shoot themselves in the foot I think they will score at will on ND. USC 48- ND 20. Any opinions?

[MParris86]

In response, remember that Notre Dame is 9th in the country in total offense at over 500 ypg, so USC does not have a huge advantage there.

As far as strength of schedule is concerned, yeah ND's opponents havent lived up to par. But beating Michigan at the Big House and 3 other opponents on the road is no easy task. ND's schedule still has been better than most. USC's wins over Hawaii, Arkansas and Arizona are less than impressive as well.

Remember, USC has weaknesses, its just that no team has been able to truly exploit them except Arizona State. They are 83rd in the country in pass defense, 110th in the country in punting (could play a factor) and have alot of intangibles working against them (ND revenge factor, travelling to South Bend, etc.)

I dont necessarily think ND will pull off the upset, but they have the ability to do so, because just like ASU, they can match scores with USC. And Charlie Weis is a master gameplanner, so expect a few rabbits pulled out of his hat. This should be a good one.

[ravenmaniac]

Yea maybe the over (68.5) is the way to go in this game. It may turn out to be similar to the UCLA/Cal game this past weekend 47-40. Who knows.

[WildBillPicks7]

Very interesting game here Raven..Thanks for posting for replies..

I've tried to cap this game as much as possible including looking at matchups and talent on both sides of the ball for both clubs.

We also have failed to mention that both Weis and Carroll coached on the same clubs before in the NFL under Parcells.

Dallas Sartz, LB for USC is out for this game as of today and that may effect the run stop defense for USC.

Notre Dame defense has allowed 12.1 yard per pass completion for Michigan State, only game played at home this year and gave up 10.2 yrds per pass completion to Washington away.

USC averages 9.4 yrds per pass completion.

On the Road, USC has rung up 63, 45 and 38 points while giving up 17, 13 and 28. Arizona State has given them by far their best game and Arizona racked up 21 pts last weekend.

Notre Dame will have to pass the ball and pass it alot in this game.

What does USC do best than anyone else in the country besides score more than their opponents? Anyone? Ok...I'll cut to the chase, they have great special teams and returners and big receivers which will eat up the Irish secondary, plus they have a QB that has an uncanny accuracy over 65% during his career while at USC.

Leinhart has faced this club 2 times now and riddled the defense each time. Carroll is a good tact-ti-shun and will show game film after game film to his club as will 'lil tuna'.

One total's players stat here using an angle is USC is 9-1 under in road games where the total is betweeen 56.5 and 63 points since 1992.

South Bend can be an ugly place for a highly ranked team to play giving the Irish more than a touchdown, just ask Michigan, however in the last few years ND has been a 12 pt dog to Michigan and won in 2004 (all these games at home since 2000), a 2 pt dog to Purdue at home and lost in 2004, an 8 pt dog to USC in 2003 and lost 45-14, a 12 1/2 pt dog to Florida State and lost 37-0 in 2003, an 8 pt dog to Tennessee in 2001 and lost 28-18 and a 13 1/2 pt dog to Nebraska and covered in a loss, 27-24 in 2000.

There has been a ton of money and smart money put on ND thus far which has driven down the line as much as the public has.

My number come up with USC winning by 19, however that does not factor in any home advantage and weather elements. Kicking and special teams and turnover margins all favor USC which will be huge factors in this game.

GL on all who play it...I'll watch and have a few for ya'll..hehehe..

WB:thumbs: