USC-Notre Dame: The Not-So-Special Special Rivalry

It is hard to find a rivalry with such a storied tradition as USC vs. Notre Dame.  Both schools have alumni and ardent fans across the country.  Young boys grow up dreaming of playing for one of these great football traditions.

Not so special?  What’s not so special about the annual USC-Notre Dame clash?

Both campuses are gearing up for blowout pep rallies.  At USC this is known as Notre Dame Week, and in South Bend, this is USC Week.  The date has been circled for months, and now it is almost here.

Yes, this is a very special rivalry for students and fans of both schools.  But there is a place where it is not so special.

Heritage Hall and across from it, Howard Jones Field, where the Trojans practice.

At his press conference and in a couple of radio interviews, Pete Carroll acknowledged that this is a special game for the fans and the media.  But as far as his team is concerned it is business as usual.

And the business in this case is competition.  That’s the theme that runs through every practice no matter who the opponent is.

There is nothing more or less special about Notre Dame than any other team the Trojans play.  Notre Dame is simply their next opponent, and the next opponent is always the focus for that week.  

The players are taught to compete at the highest level possible whether the opponent is wearing blue and gold or green and white.

Come Monday, while the feelings of victory or defeat continue to resonate among students, fans, and the media, the game is all but forgotten around Heritage Hall.

To Tell the Truth Monday, it’s called.  The players gather in a meeting room to watch a tape of the game and point out who competed well and who did not; who left everything on the field and who held back.

After that session, last week’s game is over and it’s onto this week’s opponent.

The same will happen this Monday afternoon.  The Notre Dame game will be forgotten, and the players will put all their focus into Oregon State.

Like the rest of the media, I will write about a revenge game and how the Oregon State matchup is so special because USC will try to avenge its only loss of 2008.

But if asked about it, Pete Carroll will most likely answer in the same way next week that he responded this week to questions about the Notre Dame game:

"We put the fire out on talk like that because every game is a huge game for us."

Trojan Notes & Quotes:

Regarding the rivalry with Notre Dame: "We don't feel it as much as people on the outside," Pete Carroll told his players in a meeting today. "I haven't made a big deal about this game since our first year. All the extra stuff has nothing to do with this game. 

"Every game is important, every game is an awesome opportunity."

So, far every advantage this week has gone to USC.

Notre Dame fans were most likely hoping that the rain and cold temperatures forecast for South Bend on Saturday would be a deterrent to the Trojans.

As if on cue, here, in Southern California, where it hasn’t rained in months, we finally got a huge storm.  It’s raining in torrents as I write this, and the Trojans are practicing in the heavy downpour.  And more rain is forecast for tomorrow.

So, the Trojans should be very used to the wet and the cold when they arrive in South Bend.

Having a bye week gave the Trojans a chance to install 90 percent of the Notre Dame game plan last week under perfect weather conditions.  So, the Trojans are all set whether it is cold and rainy or sunny and mild.

Regarding the possibility of poor weather, Carroll asked his players: "Does it rain on both sides of the field? Is it 45 degrees on both sides of the field? Does it snow on both sides of the field?  Let's make this a strength for us."

On the injury front, there’s more good news for the Trojans and their fans.  No. 2 wide receiver, Ronald “Rojo” Johnson, returns this week from a broken collarbone.  Defensive lineman Armond Armstead returns from a broken foot.  Cornerback Brian Baucham returns from a motorcycle spill on the 110 Freeway.

Nick Perry, who sat out a couple of practices with a bruised knee also returned today, and Matt Barkley’s shoulder appears to be 100 percent healed.

"He had a terrific day," Carroll said of Barkley. "When he had to make some big plays, he made some great throws."

There is no longer talk of Mitch Mustain becoming a punter.  Instead, he is now firmly ensconced as the No. 2 quarterback, having come on very strong the past two weeks.

I will have more Trojan news as it becomes available, so check back often.