Notre Dame Vs. USC: Lane Kiffin Ruins Everything

Matt Barkley was one of four quarterbacks to see the field on Saturday night as the USC Trojans battled the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and he was the only one to perform at a relatively competent level. As the Irish trotted out three different quarterbacks -- the third, admittedly, only threw one pass -- USC stuck with its experience starter and it paid off as the Trojans rolled to a 31-17 win.

Under the lights in South Bend, it was all USC early, with the Trojans scoring the first 17 points of the game. Notre Dame did battle back, scoring 10 points to close the first half, but it was as close as the Irish would get.

via gif.mocksession.com

It’s not the talent you want, but Crist certainly has it. A long-distance fumble requires a good, two-handed fumble. You can’t just put that on the turf like you’re laying a robin’s egg on a pillow, son. No, it’s got to flop with force off both hands to get a good start on a long-distance fumble. Foot ricochet is crucial, too. Remember! More angles introduced into the equation means more fumble potential.

The win is Lane Kiffin’s first over the Irish and will likely assure Southern Cal a spot in next week’s top 25. One of them, at least, since they’re not eligible for a lot of them. Analysis.

USC pulls within nine of Notre Dame in the all-time rivalry record, 43-34-5.

↵↵Not a whole lot of slouches among that collection, either. The biggest prizes, according to Rivals:

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(The game’s on NBC, but head here for discussion and score updates.)

USC will not take part in the postseason this year because of NCAA sanctions, a shame for the current group of Trojans, who have done nothing wrong. They are 5-1 to date and certainly worthy of not only a bowl berth but also Pac-12 title contention. Since suffering its only loss of the season to date, Lane Kiffin’s USC squad has put together back-to-back wins, the most of which being a 30-9 romp over California last week in San Francisco.

West Virginia at Syracuse (Friday night). West Virginia is a fun team for a lot of reasons. One is their propensity for lazing around and taking a few laps around the ring before really getting down to business, allowing fighters like Norfolk State and UConn to hang around for a half before going to the locker room. Another is that while in said locker room they get their Red Bull on, find the four plays that will gut the opposing defense like a fish, and then go points-mad in the second half. Syracuse, meanwhile, is 112th in passing defense going into this game, and upset West Virginia last year at home.This is a house fire waiting for someone to fall asleep on the couch with a lit cigarette in their hands, and...hey, speaking of--it’s Dana Holgorsen, y’all!

LEAN: WVU

What used to be one of the most highly anticipated rivalry games in the country has been relegated to afterthought status due to mediocrity and/or NCAA sanctions (guess which one!). Both teams are crazy talented every year, but have yet to be able to put it all together.

USC has absolutely dominated the Irish in recent years, but historically, the Irish have a leg up, as they do on pretty much anyone. While the two teams remain deadlocked at 11 national championships apiece, this season isn’t going to resolve that, but the game’s always worth its weight in bragging rights.

It will be Notre Dame, who announced on Wednesday that the Irish will be wearing new, golder helmets for the game.

According to Brian Kelly, the helmets “will shine more under the Notre Dame Stadium lights.”