USC vs. Notre Dame: The Preview

Everywhere you look around the college landscape right now, this much is apparent. Notre Dame/USC is the game of the weekend. Possibly even the game of the year.

This type of hype reminds me an awful lot of 1999, when Star Wars: Episode 1 was coming out. All you ever heard or saw on the airwaves was the return of the master, George Lucas, and his epic story of good versus evil and how it would smash every conceivable record known to man. Funny thing happened — the movie never lived up to the hype.

I have a sneaking suspicion this game won't, either.

Don't get me wrong. This game holds the most significance this series has seen since 1988. Notre Dame is relevant again and ranked in the top 10. Charlie Weis, the demi-god who stormed into South Bend on his Golden Chariot from the great northeast, will finally exorcise the demon that is USC, so say the prophets who wear the green and gold.

And what's not to like? He has turned Brady Quinn into a legitimate Heisman contender. The motion offense he has brought to the Golden Domers' offense has made them virtually unstoppable and exciting to watch again. This NFL-style offense is taking on a very suspect pass defense that has been tested all season. And pundits from around the country declare that Notre Dame will bring down the mighty Trojans in much the same way they ended UCLA's epic 88-game winning streak in college basketball.

Only one small problem. USC is good. Really good. I mean really, really good.

Let's not forget this is the same offense that took apart, filleted, and feasted on Bob Stoop's Oklahoma defense in the Orange Bowl this year. I have news for you — that defense was a whole lot better than what the Trojans will be facing this Sunday.

I can hear Notre Dame nation crying in protest now. Look who we beat! We went into the Big House and took care of the fifth-ranked team in the country. That's great. Only problem is, Michigan is nowhere near as good as everyone thought. As a matter of fact, none of Notre Dame's opponents have actually played up to their preseason rankings. Purdue has looked pedestrian, Michigan State is schizophrenic, and Pitt lost to a Division 1-AA team, for crying out loud.

But ... but ... look at what USC has done in three straight weeks against inferior teams. Granted, last week's Arizona game was a bit of a head-scratcher. But USC was caught in a typical trap game. They came off of an emotional win against a fired-up Arizona St. team and were probably looking past Arizona. And let's not forget ... USC did not squeak by Arizona. No team that amasses over 700 yards on offense and wins by three touchdowns squeaks by in victory.

While I will admit that USC has come out very sluggish in the first half in recent weeks, let's not overlook the complete dismantling they have put on teams in the second half. They have outscored three division teams by a combined 98-21 in the second half in three straight games. They beat Oregon, possibly the second best team in their conference, on the road, by 20+ points and took Arizona State's best shot and still won handily.

Let's not forget that SC has a bulls-eye squarely planted on their back every week. Every team they play will give them everything they have. This is those teams' National Championship Game. And guess what ... USC takes their best shot like a bored prize fighter, decides they are done playing up to the crowd, and delivers a decisive knockout blow that most of these teams don't see coming.

Will Notre Dame give USC a good game? In the first half, I am sure of it. Notre Dame is in the top 10 in passing and will be able to move the ball against the 82nd-ranked passing defense. Conversely, Notre Dame's defense is ranked 114th against the pass and 31st against the run. USC will score early and often. It will be a battle of attrition in the first half. But USC's balanced attack will eventually wear down this Notre Dame defense. And USC's defense will make a couple of key stops and begin to pull away. Then the rout will be on.

So, this most publicized game between two storied schools will go the way of most over-hyped productions. A lot of glitz ... a lot of glamour ... but ultimately, not a whole lot of substance.

In the end? USC 52, Notre Dame 27.