SC has to come at least 14.5 for this one and THIS might be the game they come play for all 60 minutes - not just the last 30. this will be their next-to-last "hurdle" with only cal left in the way to "playing at home" in the Rose Bowl and if that happens - LOOK OUT! The Rose Bowl will be about 90% USC fans making the short drive from their homes to the game and whoever they play will feel like OU did in the Sugar Bowl vs LSU a few years ago
Yeah right Winky, you must be kidding. SC fans didn't even make up half the crowd in the last Rose Bowl when Michigan didn't have that much on the line. SC fans don't travel, period. They don't even travel to the Coliseum except for the dyed in the wool types. They get a decent crowd in road games only because SC grads live everywhere. The LA teams are incredibly horrendous travellers, even with the game near home they won't get a home field crowd edge. If they play Texas there I would say 70% of the crowd will be wearing Longhorn colors.
As for the topic, SC will put up at least 45. ND can't stop anyone, their opponents just keep stopping themselves. Two weeks in a row they let a team go up and down the field on them early only to turn it over at the half-yard line. If SC doesn't make those sorts of mistakes they will score on nearly every possession. As for the hype on this game, please. It won't even be close to the hype they had on those classic ND-Miami games, those were bigger than life with Catholics-Convicts matchups being the highlight of the regular season.
As for the topic, SC will put up at least 45. ND can't stop anyone, their opponents just keep stopping themselves. Two weeks in a row they let a team go up and down the field on them early only to turn it over at the half-yard line. If SC doesn't make those sorts of mistakes they will score on nearly every possession. As for the hype on this game, please. It won't even be close to the hype they had on those classic ND-Miami games, those were bigger than life with Catholics-Convicts matchups being the highlight of the regular season.
WildBill said:
NOT fair - keep in mind usc got "F'd" that season by NOT being invited to the Sugar Bowl where they should have been instead of OU. usc fans have gone about making plans for the rose bowl for some time now and usc fans do have money (as do texass - i will grant you that) but how much travel is it for these fans - my guess is most of them leave closer to pasadena then the colisuem (although the 2 aren't THAT far apart - 15-20 miles if that). WHEN usc plays in the rose bowl their supporters will be heard and noticed
Wisky fans are a close second to Iowa, they fill plenty of stadiums as well. All Big 10 teams travel pretty well other than Northwestern. In the Pac 10 only Washington and Oregon ever get a crowd out and its nothing like those Big 10 teams. Then again considering the weather around bowl season Midwesterners are looking for any lousy excuse to go on a trip.
Irish have subway alum everywhere. SC and Cali fans in general just aren't as passionate about their sports as the East coast types. This is a thought redux of the Yankee-BoSox thread.
If somehow Notre Dame pulls off the upset, very unlikely but just if for now, and Quinn has a big game, there is your Heisman winner. With that offense and the ND P.R. machine, it would happen. If I could get him at 50-1 right now, I'd take it.
That being said, Trojans should score almost at will, but stranger things have happened.
If somehow Notre Dame pulls off the upset, very unlikely but just if for now, and Quinn has a big game, there is your Heisman winner. With that offense and the ND P.R. machine, it would happen. If I could get him at 50-1 right now, I'd take it.
That being said, Trojans should score almost at will, but stranger things have happened.
ND has bye week to get ready. USC better team but ND will have Karma. Weiss is this millenium's Rockne and I'm sure there are some ND haters (includes me) softened up after Weiss' story of keeping promise to dying boy. Everyone says USC hangs 50+, I say ND hangs 50 (USC D suspect and now injury ravaged) and some Irish leprachauns will be on the field Oct 15. Can't wait for this game as NBC must be licking thier chops.
Buffalo66 said:
Huge rivalry
"The game" for ND
USC is not as invincible as everyone was thinking before the ASU scare
USC has problems on defense
Bye week for ND
ND passing game--227, 487, 327 & 468yds in their last 4
Nothing is safe against an offense like this, but USC just might have the speed to keep it under control. ND may win this game, and if they don't, they'll be within 17....which is probably what Joe Public will run it up to after a 14ish open.
USC only scored 45 and 38 points the last 2 games. Everyone knows that means they must have had a bad half. They are capable of 60 PPG if their offense shows up and flips the switch in the first quarter. Maybe ND can stay with them for a little while but when their adrenalin runs out, USC will shut them out. If ND can't pile up some points in the beginnng of the game, I see no way they can keep up with them and get in the backdoor within 2 TDs.
Buffalo66 said:
ND is MUCH better coached than both Oregon and ASU. And how can you say Oregon is better than ND? You've got to be kidding me.
The Irish have home field advantage and an offense that can score with USC. Weiss has also proven to be a more than capable coach. Should be a great game...I don't know that ND has the defense to hang with USC for 60 minutes, but in that environment, anything's possible.
