Notre Dame Football: 10 Things You Need to Know About USC

College football's most storied intersectional rivalry will be renewed Saturday night in South Bend, as 5-1 USC visits 4-2 Notre Dame. The Trojans have flown under the radar so far this season, due to a fairly soft schedule and NCAA sanctions that make them ineligible for the Pac-12 Championship Game and a bowl game.

The Men of Troy are still searching for an identity at the season's midpoint. After back-to-back games with Arizona State and Arizona, it appeared the Trojans would have to win shootouts to have a successful season with the defense struggling. 

However, last Thursday night against Cal, USC's defense forced five turnovers (sound familiar Irish fans?), and the offense suffered some key injuries in a 30-9 victory in San Francisco.

With Notre Dame needing a win to continue the momentum gained over the past month and to keep BCS bowl hopes alive, here are 10 things to know about the Trojans as they look for their fifth consecutive victory in Notre Dame Stadium.

Robert Woods Is an Elite Receiver

Woods, a prized recruit from the 2010 class, is off to a torrid start to the season with almost 800 yards and six touchdowns. More than half of QB Matt Barkley's completions have gone to the sophomore, and his 60 catches are tied for second in the nation.

While only 6'1", Woods will be the fastest receiver Notre Dame has faced this season, a big challenge for both Gary Gray and Robert Blanton. Although he tailed off in his freshman season after a hot streak at midseason, Woods' best game in the second half of 2010 came against the Irish, catching nine balls for 87 yards in the 20-16 Notre Dame victory.

The Running Game Has Struggled

The Trojans' offense has found the end zone 21 times this season, but only five of those have come on the ground. Leading rusher Marc Tyler dislocated his shoulder against Cal, and while Lane Kiffin has not ruled him out, it's likely the senior will miss Saturday's game.

Tyler's absence would place the burden squarely on 5'7" junior Curtis McNeal, who's played well in limited action this season. Sophomore Dillon Baxter was expected to be a major contributor this year, but has had some differences with the coaching staff that have kept him off the field.

The Trojans See Red in the Red Zone

Much like the Irish, USC has moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines, but has had difficulties in the red zone. In 25 trips this season, the Trojans have only scored 13 touchdowns, and six have ended with no points whatsoever.

USC does not have the benefit of a tall receiver like Michael Floyd, so fade routes are not as effective.  While Matt Barkley is one of the better quarterbacks in the country, his accuracy is nowhere near that of Kellen Moore or Andrew Luck, which has cost the Trojans in shorter field situations.

The Fullback Plays a Key Role

Although Brian Kelly has pretty much eliminated the fullback from Notre Dame's offense, the position is still alive and well in Los Angeles, now in the form of Rhett Ellison. The senior has caught 11 passes this season with a touchdown. 

Ellison is an effective blocker as well, and is at his best in short-yardage situations. With spread offenses becoming much more of the norm, the fullback position is becoming less and less prevalent in college football. 

However, like Brandon Hancock and Stanley Havili before him, Ellison is a major part of the Trojans' attack.

Lane Kiffin Will Gamble on 4th Down

The Trojans have gone for it 10 times on fourth down already this season, converting three of them. Notre Dame has attempted only three fourth down conversions, and are perfect so far this season.

Lane Kiffin has called arguably two of USC's most famous fourth down plays.

His 4th-and-2 hand-off to LenDale White was stuffed in the 2006 Rose Bowl, which gave Texas the opportunity to drive down and win the national title.

Earlier that season in Notre Dame Stadium, Kiffin went for broke on 4th-and-9, and Matt Leinart found Dwayne Jarrett streaking down the sideline to set up the Trojans' game-winning touchdown.

The Trojans Can't Close Games

Three times this season, the Trojans have struggled to close out seemingly comfortable victories.

Against Minnesota, Utah and Arizona, who have a combined zero conference wins, USC had to hang on after holding double-digit leads, needing a turnover on downs to survive the Gophers and a blocked field goal to survive the Utes.

While Irish fans hope the situation does not present itself where the Trojans are trying to protect a late lead, the inability of USC to slam the door on its opponents ensures Notre Dame will not be out of it until the final whistle blows.

Matt Barkley Has Been Well-Protected

The Trojans' quarterback has only been sacked four times in the team's first six games, a credit to the young offensive line that has performed better pass-blocking than run-blocking. LT Matt Kalil is the seasoned veteran of the group and has done an outstanding job protecting Barkley's blind side.

This will be the best defensive front the Trojans have faced, and Barkley has limited mobility, so Notre Dame should still be able to at least meet their average of 2.5 sacks per game this season.

USC Will Put the Ball on the Ground

Eleven times this year the Trojans have fumbled, with eight of those recovered by opponents. Notre Dame's struggles with turnovers have been well-documented, so a takeaway or two would do wonders.

In the past two games, games in which the Irish have won the turnover battle, they've won by an average of 27 points. If USC is self-inflicting their wounds, it could be a long night for the Trojans.

The Trojans Are Banged Up

In addition to Marc Tyler likely missing the game, two other starters were hurt in last week's win at Cal.  WR Marquise Lee suffered a shoulder injury, and CB Anthony Brown broke his ankle. Brown will miss the season, and Lee is questionable for Saturday night.

CB Torin Harris has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury and has yet to practice this week, so his availability is also in doubt. Sophomore Nickell Robey, the Trojans' top cornerback, is only 5'8", which could present significant matchup problems against 6'3" Michael Floyd.

Special Teams Favor USC

USC has blocked four kicks already this season—two field goals and two extra points. A potential game-tying field goal attempt by Utah was blocked and returned for a touchdown.

Notre Dame has been below-average on special teams this season, and if you're looking for how this game could turn in favor of the Trojans, a blocked kick might be how it happens.