Notre Dame Football 2011: 5 Reasons Why the Fighting Irish Will Beat USC (again)

Notre Dame's rivalry with the University of Southern California is considered to be one of the best rivalries in college football.

As of late, the rivalry itself has been a bit one-sided with USC winning eight consecutive match-ups from 2002 to 2009.

The Irish bucked that trend last season beating Lane Kiffin's Trojans 20-16 in Los Angeles.

Many believe that victory marked the beginning of a seismic shift in the series.

That shift is due largely to the fact that Notre Dame is on the rise with Brian Kelly while USC is on the decline because of NCAA-imposed sanctions.

The Irish should be favored heading into this season's contest, the first night game at Notre Dame Stadium in 21 years.

Follow along as we count down the five reasons why Notre Dame will beat USC (again).

5. USC's Suspect Offensive Line

Heading into this season, Trojan head coach Lane Kiffin must find a way to replace three starters from last season's offensive line.

Some may think that phenom quarterback Matt Barkley offsets an inexperienced line, but every knowledgeable football fan knows that in order for an offense to succeed, it needs an experienced line.

If Bob Diaco's defense can find a way to take advantage of USC's inexperience along the offensive line, then the Irish will be able to shut down the Trojan offense.

Matt Barkley, regardless of how talented he is, won't have the ability to make quality throws if the likes of Manti Te'o and Aaron Lynch are in his face.

Also, Notre Dame's sudden stalwart defensive line will be a lot for a young offensive line to handle.

Goodness, how the tables have turned.

4. Home Field Advantage

The match-up with USC will most likely be the most anticipated game since the "Bush Push" back in '05.

It will be the first night game at Notre Dame Stadium since the Irish beat Michigan 21 years ago.

That means one thing: a frenzied crowd. 

Advantage Notre Dame.

The other aspect Irish fans need to think about is that this game is scheduled for October 22.

The weather in South Bend that time of year isn't exactly what residents of the Los Angeles area are used to.

It's cold. Especially when the sun goes down. 

The Trojans will be at a disadvantage due to the fact that they won't be acclimated to the conditions.

3. Bragging Rights

Like I mentioned in the introduction slide, the Trojans won eight consecutive games in this rivalry from 2002 to 2009.

Irish fans are still stinging from those eight long years and want nothing more than for Brian Kelly's squad to reign supreme over the Trojans.

Last season's victory over USC was sweet, but both coaches were in their first year at the helm.

Also, Matt Barkley didn't play for the Trojans and Notre Dame had been ravaged with injuries.

With both teams likely to be at full strength for this year's game, true bragging rights will be on the line.

There's no doubt that most of Notre Dame's players have this game circled on their calendars.

They want this game more than any other on the schedule.

There's no doubt about that.

2. Notre Dame's Defense

The biggest reason the Irish suffered through so many defeats to USC last decade was due to the porous defenses on the field.

That has changed and in a big way.

In the last four games of last season against Utah, Army, USC, and Miami, the Irish defense yielded a total of 40 points.

There's no reason to believe the stellar play won't carry over into this season.

This game against the Trojans will certainly be a measuring stick for the Irish defense because of the fact that USC's athletes on offense are the best Notre Dame will see all season.

If the unit continues to play like they did at the end of last season, a win against the Trojans will be in the making.

1. Coaching

Brian Kelly may be the hottest name in coaching these days.

There's no doubt about it.

He has his program heading in the direction of the promised land.

Not to say Lane Kiffin isn't a good coach, but Brian Kelly is just better.

He has his team dreaming big dreams and executing on a weekly basis to bring those dreams to fruition.

If the Irish come into this match-up with USC undefeated - which is very likely - it will be the biggest game of his tenure in South Bend thus far.