USC vs Notre Dame: Why Irish Will Crack BCS After Beating Matt Barkley, Trojans

For one of the few times in recent memory, USC and Notre Dame will meet with neither program ranked in the BCS top 25.

The Trojans are a road loss at Arizona State away from being undefeated this season, they are 3-1 in the Pac-12 and 5-1 overall.

Meanwhile Notre Dame has ripped off four-straight wins after beginning 2011 0-2, turning the ball over at an incredible rate and losing a tough rivalry game at the last second in week 2 at Michigan.

Prediction: The Fighting Irish will make it five-straight this Saturday against USC, and here's why.

The matchup in South Bend will be one of USC's hardest road tests of the year (they visit Oregon on November 19), and it is a possibility that a few unforced errors will be committed by Matt Barkley and the Trojans' offense.

Barkley has been phenomenal this season despite all the hype surrounding another Pac-12 pocket passer, Andrew Luck.

Barkley has accounted for 1,782 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air this season while leading the nation's 20th-ranked passing attack.

Unfortunately for USC, their ground attack averages just over 133 yards per contest (77th) and on Saturday they'll be pitted against an Irish D that will be expected pass.

Notre Dame's offense can both run and pass the ball with success, and that balance will be key for the Irish to claim bragging rights this weekend.

Sure both teams have momentum but Notre Dame sophomore Tommy Rees has found his rhythm as of late, throwing for nine of his 14 touchdowns in the past four weeks, while only tossing two interceptions.

Rees's steady hand under center will keep the Irish offense on the field longer than Barkley Saturday night.

USC's defense is solid this season, allowing just over 23 points per game (46th), but they have given up far too many points on occasion (43 to ASU and 41 to Arizona).

Notre Dame's Brian Kelly has been looking for a signature win with the Irish and he'll get one Saturday night in South Bend.

The result, a five-game winning streak for the Irish and an appearance in next week's BCS standings.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke