Notre Dame Football: Irish Will Land in BCS Standings After Win over USC

It’s the most celebrated non-conference rivalry in college football. But since their game in the ’05 season that saw USC’s Reggie Bush pushing quarterback Matt Leinart over the goal line, giving the Trojans a victory in South Bend, the rivalry has not been the same.  

After the ’05 season, USC dominated its annual game, defeating the Irish, 44-24 (’06), 38-0 (’07), 38-3 (’08) and 34-27 (’09).  

But, starting last year, the Irish have started to take back their tradition of winning this game, as Notre Dame does lead the series 43-33-5. Last year, the Irish went into Los Angeles and defeated the Trojans 20-16.  

Entering this week’s primetime game, both clubs are coming in with impressive winning streaks.

Both USC (5-1, 2-1) and Notre Dame (4-2) share winning streaks that should put them into consideration for the BCS standings. For Notre Dame, its main reason for not being voted in is an early-season stumble to teams like South Florida and Michigan.  

For USC, its reason not to be included after an impressive 5-1 start to the ’11 season, is well, the sanctions that the NCAA came down with for the program. Yes, the Trojans can be in the standings, but with a two-year bowl ban, what’s the point?  

However, all of the NCAA sanctions will not matter after their game this week against Notre Dame, because the Irish will prevail at home under the lights.  

The win against USC will give them their fifth win in a row and put them as the best two-loss team in the NCAA.  

Their signature win during this stretch of games came against a very good Michigan State team.  

What happens if the Spartans are able to knock off the No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers at home this week? Would the Irish get into the BCS Standings just for the fact that Notre Dame dominated the best team in the Big Ten when the two teams played each other?  

A win this week should put the Irish into the Top 25 without any help from Michigan State. They have proven to be a good team that will make a bowl game this year.  

There are still six games left on the Irish’s schedule this year. After the USC game, their next tough game is on the road at Stanford.  

A win puts them at 10-2 with a good, but still outside shot of a BCS bowl game.  

The season looked over after two bad losses to open the season. But, after four straight games, it’s time to give the Irish the respect they deserve and put them among the best teams in college football. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon