Notre Dame Football: USC Game Is More Than Just Rivalry for Irish This Year
Notre Dame and USC have taken the field against one another every year since 1946. The series originated in 1926, but they didn't play between the years of 1943-1945.
The Irish lead the series 43-33-5, but the Trojans have won eight of the last nine. USC lost to Notre Dame last year for the first time since 2001 (USC's 2005 win was vacated due to some guy named Reggie Bush).
While rivalry is a big part of this game every time they meet, this year's installment means more for the Irish than it does for the Trojans.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
USC is in the final year of their two-year bowl ban stemming from that Bush guy, and everything they do this season ends with a November 26 game against rivals UCLA, regardless of record.
Notre Dame, on the other hand, still has a chance to salvage a season that started in misery.
The Irish could just as easily be 6-0 right now if they had just a bit more luck on their side.
Instead, they're 4-2 and need to win out to have a shot at a BCS bowl game.
This week they have a bye, and all the momentum they've gained since the win over Michigan State is at risk.
That cannot happen.
The battle with USC is more than just bragging rights—it essentially makes or breaks the Irish season.
The remaining schedule features two winning teams—Wake Forest and Stanford.
Before the Irish even consider the Stanford battle at season's end, they need to defeat USC.
The four opponents between the Trojans and the Cardinal have a combined record of 9-12.
Voters won't look kindly upon another defeat, regardless of how few points it is by. Their two losses this year were by a combined seven points and on gut-wrenching plays.
A win over USC isn't just something the Irish want—it is something they need. This team is just on the cusp of breaking back into the rankings, and there is still a chance of them making something special of this season.
Running the table until the clash on The Farm is the only chance of that happening, and that all starts with the Trojans next week.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
