Why Every USC Fan Should Root For Notre Dame In 2009

This article was inspired by J.C. Ayvazi of Bleacher Report.

J.C. is an avid fan of USC and at the very end of the favorite teams part of his profile it says "any team that is playing UCLA or Notre Dame." 

I can't fault him for that. My feelings are kind of the same just reverse. I am sure most if not all USC fans feel the same as him.

That makes perfect sense. Notre Dame and USC are arch rivals and is one of the top rivalries in college football. Rivals, naturally hate each other, However, as much as they hate each other — they need each other.

Notre Dame fans are optimistic that 2009 will be a resurrection of the elite program in college football's past. The irony is that USC fans should want that as much as any Irish fan. Here is why.

Take a look at last year. As much as this pains me to admit, I am not convinced that Florida or any other team was better than USC, however, they were not given the opportunity to play in the title game.

The reality is that the Pac-10 wasn't as strong as the Big 12 or the SEC. At least that was the perception.

Sure USC beat Ohio State soundly at the beginning of the year, however, at the time the Buckeyes were still finding themselves. Then the Pac-10 was not perceived to be a tough schedule.  Then they have their rivalry game at the end of the year with the Irish.

That was painful to watch. 

Ironically, this victory didn't help USC. Notre Dame was still a rebuilding team so the victory didn't do anything for the pollsters.

If Notre Dame had been ranked anywhere in the top 10, USC probably would have been playing in the title game.

Let's face it. Rivalries are way more exciting when both teams are two of the best teams in the country.

Two years ago, Ohio State and Michigan were ranked first and second when they played each other. That already huge game became even bigger. The winner was guaranteed — a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.

When two rivals face each other and both are at the top of their games, the winner immediately becomes recognized nationally as the possible best team in the country.

The irony is that as much as USC and Notre Dame hate each other, both need each other to be powerhouse's.

So USC fans, will you swallow your pride and root for the Irish to return to glory in 2009? I remember hoping USC would get back on track after my favorite USC coach of all time Paul Hackett was fired.