Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 12:30 p.m. PT on FOX
Irish to Watch: Senior QB Everett Golson
Golson has ridden the wave at Notre Dame leading the Irish to an undefeated 2012 season before Alabama blew them away in the BCS Championship Game. Then, he sat out the 2013 season due to academic issues, but he won the starting job back this year and looked like a Heisman contender through a perfect 6-0 start. However, in the last eight games, he has turned the ball over 20 times, which is more than 75 FBS have turned the ball over this season. Not coincidentally, the turnovers have caught up to Golson and the Irish as they come into this rivalry game having lost four of five.3 Keys
Stick with the Theme
The Trojans are +9 in turnover margin this season, which plays nicely into Notre Dame's weakness. USC QB Cody Kessler has thrown interceptions in back-to-back games, but he still owns a remarkable 30:4 TD:INT ratio. Golson nearly matches Kessler with 29 TD passes proving how explosive he can be, but he more than triples the USC QB throwing away 13 interceptions on the campaign. The Trojans could use some short fields to rebuild confidence after last week's offensive sputter.
Finish Them
The Fighting Irish may have lost their fight for 2014 with four wins in the last five contests, including home upsets at the hands of Northwestern and Louisville. If the Trojans can start fast, reverting to their first quarter prowess from most of the season, and work the running game, which will protect the young offensive line, they can bury Notre Dame. On the other hand, if USC lets the Golden Domers hang around, the Irish are dangerous enough to steal their third straight in the Coliseum.
Time to Get One
The USC true junior class featuring core players like Leonard Williams, Nelson Agholor and Buck Allen has never tasted victory over UCLA or Notre Dame. USC careers are defined by rivalry records and moments, so unsurprisingly, Williams said if he does not beat the Irish, it would be "something I would regret for the rest of my life." For a program building through youth in year one under head coach Steve Sarkisian, a win could kick start momentum going into bowl season and then a huge recruiting class.
