USC vs. Notre Dame: Cody Kessler vs. Tommy Rees QB Battle Will Decide Game

Quarterback battles deciding games are quite the cliche. 

But when you look at the fortunes of USC and Notre Dame prior to Saturday night's clash between the two storied programs, that's exactly what will help determine which school will be celebrating a victory well into the wee hours of Sunday morning. 

Notre Dame starting QB Tommy Rees and his USC counterpart, Cody Kessler, will lead their teams into battle in the 2013 version of this long-time rivalry. 

Whichever signal-caller outperforms the other will also likely pick up a win for his team. 

The Irish expected to have Everett Golson running the show this year in hopes of returning to the BCS National Championship game, but his departure from the school opened the door for Rees to officially take over the position as a senior. 

Rees has loads of experience as a starter; he was Brian Kelly's go-to guy when Golson was struggling during Notre Dame's improbable run to the title game. He's thrown for nearly 6,000 yards and 47 touchdowns in his career entering Week 8. 

Kessler doesn't have quite that kind of background in college just yet, but he is a blue-chip prospect who 247Sports ranked as a 4-star prospect during his high school days in California. 

Though he didn't win the job outright in training camp, Kessler has played well the past few weeks. In wins over Boston College, Utah State and Arizona, he commanded the offense and avoided the big mistake. 

In the loss to Arizona State, he threw two picks. 

It's no coincidence that three of Kessler's four interceptions came in USC's two losses. The same goes for Rees—five of his six interceptions were in Notre Dame's setbacks against Michigan and Oklahoma. 

Accuracy is a huge talking point for both players. 

In his last three games, Rees has not completed more than 45 percent of his passes. Against the Sooners, that number dipped to 37.5. For the season, Rees is completing just 51.7 percent of his throws—not exactly a shining representation of his ability. 

Kessler has been better, and only missing on two passes against Boston College was a highlight. But he too has struggled with accuracy and completed only 50 percent of his throws in his team's last two victories. 

In rivalry games, being able to move the ball down the field and be efficient is a huge advantage. Heck, it's an advantage in any game. 

Rees is known for the big play, but he is learning very quickly that the collection of little plays before that strike can be just as valuable to the win. Kessler is learning the same lesson for the Trojans as he guides his way through his first season as the full-time starter. 

Two QBs. Two rivals. Two starters with loads of potential. 

But only one signal-caller will lead his team to victory on Saturday night, and I have a good feeling at the end of the day it will be the guy who doesn't turn the ball over, is efficient with his throws and leads his team through the dark parts of the game. 

Rees or Kessler: Who will it be?

We'll find out in South Bend soon. 

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