USC-Notre Dame: A Rivalry Rekindled?

Not so long ago, the USC-Notre Dame game meant something to the world of college football. It featured two powerhouse programs that were yearly contenders for the national title.

What happened? How did this rivalry so completely die that we usually expect the Trojans to take the Fighting Irish to the woodshed?

Well, quite simply, USC passed Notre Dame by.

Notre Dame has rested on its laurels for the last 20 years. While USC and company kept moving ahead and improving, the folks in South Bend seemed content to reflect on their glorious history instead of trying to forge an equally impressive future.

Then, a few years ago, Notre Dame fans woke up and found Tyrone Willingham at the controls of their program. They didn't like what they saw, so they replaced him with a hotshot alum, on his way to a third Super Bowl trophy as offensive coordinator in New England.

We all know that to this point, it hasn't worked out as well as they hoped.

To put it bluntly, many people considered it a moral victory for the Irish to beat Hawaii in a bowl game after last season.

Hawaii?

How the mighty have fallen.

Perhaps the most painful losses these past few years have been the losses (most of them lopsided) to USC.

But now, Notre Dame may finally be creeping back into the picture of relevancy. Granted, they still have a ways to come, especially on defense, where they are ranked 100th in FBS in terms of yards per game allowed.

That being said, the Irish have one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Jimmy Clausen. Golden Tate has flashed electrifying ability as an all-around playmaker. The rest of the offense has been solid as well, ranking 10th in yards per game.

Meanwhile, USC is fielding one of its weakest teams in years. That's not saying much given that they are still one of the best teams in college football, but the 2009 Trojans are much less imposing than previous versions.

So all of this means that Notre Dame has the best chance to win that they have had in several years. USC may technically be the favorite, but an awful lot of people, especially Notre Dame fans, feel that with Clausen under center they have an advantage, especially with a true freshman, Matt Barkley, taking the snaps for the Trojans.

This game is a must win for both teams. While it is not realistic for either squad to think that they will win a trip to the national championship with a one-loss season, they can always hold on to the slimmest of hopes.

But lose this game, and any chance to be playing in the title game goes up in smoke.

However, while both teams really need a win on Saturday, the Irish need one much more desperately than USC.

Clausen's Heisman hopes ride on the outcome of this game and his performance in it. Win and Clausen becomes the front-runner. Lose and Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow walks away with the award.

Charlie Weis' job security likely rides on this game. Win and he becomes a hero whose job will be safe for the foreseeable future. Lose and he might be looking for a job.

Are those fair expectations to place on either the coach or quarterback?

Probably not. But it's a product of the system. Every game in college football is all-important, particularly when it is played in the spotlight and at Notre Dame.

I don't know who will win on Friday. Part of me wants to say never bet against Pete Carroll unless he is playing an unranked Pac-10 opponent on the road.

But part of me feels that Clausen will be the better quarterback. Barkley still hasn't lost a game (remember Aaron Corp started against Washington), but he is a true freshman, and at some point in time that will have to show.

The one thing that I do expect and hope to see when USC clashes with Notre Dame in South Bend is a great game.

One that will rekindle the once great rivalry.

One that will be entertaining and good for the sport.

One that matters.

One that is worthy of its title.

USC-Notre Dame.