USC's Interesting Dilemma, They Need Notre Dame

A game like last Saturday in South Bend is one that takes a bit of recovery. Notre Dame fought gallantly, but USC held them on a goal line stand to take their eighth straight victory. It was a win that would have put USC back near the top of the polls and right back in the National Championship hunt.

USC did jump back up in the AP poll to No. 4. However, in the first BCS poll they are ranked No. 7. It is reasonable for a one loss USC team to be behind undefeated Florida, Alabama, and Texas.

It is questionable for a one loss USC team to trail unbeaten teams like Iowa, Boise State, and Cincinnati. Those three teams haven't gone on the road to both Ohio State and Notre Dame. Ironically, as a Notre Dame fan I was upset not to see USC ranked higher than that.

To me it was disrespectful to Notre Dame. Many fans and media don't see Notre Dame as a good team and expected USC to just blow them out. Then when it was a nail biter, people doubt that USC is as good as they have been.

It never even occurs to people that the reason USC didn't blow them out could be because Notre Dame is a good  team. Of course, that isn't a possibility. The Irish have been barely beating teams. Forget the fact that Michigan State has won three straight since the Notre Dame game.

Forget the fact that Purdue beat Ohio State and Washington beat USC. There is no way Notre Dame could possibly be a good team that pushed USC to the limit.

Unfortunately, that is the perception. Until Notre Dame changes it, it is the reality. The crazy part is that it affects USC in a bad way in their hopes for a chance to play in the BCS title game.

Although California, Oregon, and even Stanford are all legitimate opponents. The PAC 10 is not perceived to be as tough as the SEC or the Big 12. Again, perception is reality until it is changed. Therefore, USC must depend on it's non-conference games to get the bid to play in the title game.

Looking at this past weekend, USC fans were busy celebrating a big win and probably didn't notice something that could hurt their chances. That was the Purdue victory over Ohio State. Prior to this game, I have seen the Buckeyes a couple of times and I am not sold that they are a good team this year.

Also, their last three games are against Penn State, Iowa, and Michigan. They honestly could lose two, or even all three of those games. If that happens, the Trojan victory over the Buckeyes suddenly doesn't look that impressive in the eyes of the BCS.

Moving forward that leaves USC needing Notre Dame to go 10-2 and qualify for a BCS bowl. A 10-2 record is the only way the Irish will start to change the perception. Ironically, USC needs that as much as Notre Dame does.

It is also ironic how Notre Dame and USC have been in similar situations these last three weeks. Both had a bye before playing each other. Neither got respect from the BCS after a great game.

Now both play teams that have been Achilles heels for them. USC hosts Oregon State and Notre Dame hosts Boston College. While USC and Notre Dame are better on paper talent wise, the Beavers and Eagles have been major thorns in their sides for whatever reason.

I find myself in the unique position of hoping USC takes care of it's business. That will only make Notre Dame's close loss look better. At the same time, a 10-2 Notre Dame team may be what gets USC in the title game.

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