The weather Gods must be college football fans. If you’re like me, fall Saturdays are a constant juggling act between sunny 70 degree weather, projects around the house, the family dragging me out to pumpkin patches and cute farm festivals and of course (the priority) 8-10 hrs of football games. However, as we head into one of the biggest college football Saturdays of the season, the forecast calls for rain and highs in the upper 40s. No question, I owe somebody a favor somewhere.
And what a weekend to get better acquainted with my couch, the beer fridge and a big pot of crab soup. My biggest concern at this point is that the BTN will be showing Michigan vs. Delaware State and not the Buckeyes. The Schedule calls for the Bucks but considering the geography of it all, I’m not counting on it. Regardless, there’s enough going on outside of the Pryor and the soon to be explosive Ohio State offense (right?) to keep me flipping during the commercials.
With that…
(I was planning on giving a run down on a number of games but I put so much into ND/USC, well, that’s all I’ve got time for at the moment)
Notre Dame vs. USC (USC -10)
Only in the world of Notre Dame can you take a week off and move into the to 25. Not only that, if you run something that sort of looks like a spread offense and manage game winning comebacks against second rate teams, at Notre Dame, you’re a shoe in for the Heisman.
Yes, I’ve expressed my frustration with Notre Dame (repeatedly) over the years. Notre Dame needs to do little more then walk onto the field and the media goes nuts. And why not. There’s big money invested in television contracts and from a national perspective, they’ve got a ridiculously large fan base (this from an Ohio State fan). There’s only one team that get’s more hype then Notre Dame and yes, they will also play in South Bend this Saturday.
Yes, Notre Dame is 5-1, just like Ohio State and yes, a win is a win no matter what the score but seriously, do they really deserve the accolades? Other then beating the stuffing out of Navada, they’ve managed last second wins over Purdue, Washington, Michigan State and a loss to Michigan. Yes, there have been some impressive (although fleeting) moments but there have also been some questionable, game saving calls. I’ll give you the rivalry factor against Purdue but the loss to Michigan really seems telling to me.
The talk is that if USC ever was venerable, this is the year. Never mind the fact that they beat Ohio State in a very close, tough game. Apparently that doesn’t mean much in the eyes of the national media these days – at least when you’re talking about USC. They did lose to Washington. Not that I would ever defend USC but they lost to a Washington that had direct experience with the Pete Carroll school of football and how to defend it. They were also still recovering from a very tough game against the Buckeyes. A game in which they left everything they had on the field in Columbus. Unlike the Buckeyes, USC doesn’t bounce back well after big games.
Again though, I’m having trouble making my theories stick as Notre Dame did beat Washington. Credit my reasons above I guess.
I think Notre Dame fans are going to be in for a rude awakening. Their record this year is built on false hopes. They’ve relied on the big plays, the long passes to get the job done. While that style play looks impressive and obviously impresses the Heisman voters, they haven’t faced much of a pass rush this year. Southern Cal will give them a taste. They will pressure Clausen in a way he hasn’t been pressured yet this year. He won’t have the luxury of waiting to throw the long bomb. USC also has the secondary to keep up and prevent the big play even if Clausen does get a chance to air it out.
On the other side of the ball, USC will turn to Joe McKnight. Remember him Buckeye fans? He’s the guy Barkley keep handing the ball to on that last 95 yard drive. Take that same 95 yard drive, move it to Indiana and repeat — over and over again. Although I think the defense can handle ND, it won’t be an issue if they don’t let the offense on the field.
This won’t be the USC shootout of days of old but I think USC will comfortably handle Notre Dame. SC is a 10 point favorite. I’m afraid the media hype has me nervous enough not to call the spread but I’m confident on the straight bet. I’m taking USC.
