2018 Game 12: USC vs. Notre Dame
November 23, 2018 | Football, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
The Trojans have won their last two over the Irish at the Coliseum.
USC Trojans (5-6) vs. No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-0)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 5 p.m. PT on ABC
Irish to Watch: Junior QB Ian Book
Book has changed Notre Dame's stars this season. The Irish have been solid defensively from game one, but they only mustered 24 points against Ball State and 22 points against Vanderbilt in close victories with Brandon Wimbush at quarterback. That's when head coach Brian Kelly made the QB switch and Book took over. Since then, he has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football, completing 72.6% of his passes, second most in the nation. He's not quite the running threat that Wimbush poses, but he has topped 40 rush yards in four of his seven starts.
Click here for more on the Irish.
3 Keys
Protect JT
Notre Dame has a fierce pass rush with 29 sacks on the season. USC's offensive line has been better in pass protection than run blocking with LT Austin Jackson pitching a shutout in terms of pressures in two of the last three games, per PFF College. RT Chuma Edoga would provide a major boost if he returns on Saturday as he's been the second-best pass blocking offensive tackle in the nation this season, per PFF College. Freshman QB JT Daniels has been inconsistent lately with impressive first halves followed by disappointing second halves against Cal and UCLA. If the offensive line gives him time, Daniels will need to put 60 minutes together to spring the upset.
Create an Imbalance
The Fighting Irish have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the country. They are 45th in rushing, averaging 196.8 yards per game on the ground, and 40th in passing at 257.7 yards per game. The Trojans need to take something away. After last week's struggles in run defense, the emphasis will be on gap control and stopping Notre Dame RB Dexter Williams, who has 11 rushing TDs in 7 games. USC DC Clancy Pendergast is in a pick your poison situation, but the Trojans really cannot afford to be hurt by both.
Use the Emotion
Emotions will not be in short supply on Saturday. Frustration hangs over the program at the end of a disappointing season. Add in the mental exercise that is Senior Day for several key players, especially on defense. And finally, there's the excitement of opportunity, a chance to rewrite the ending of this story by crushing Notre Dame's national championship dreams. In this case, it's all good. The Trojans will need to be fueled by emotion to pull off a historic stunner in this great rivalry.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 5 p.m. PT on ABC
Irish to Watch: Junior QB Ian BookBook has changed Notre Dame's stars this season. The Irish have been solid defensively from game one, but they only mustered 24 points against Ball State and 22 points against Vanderbilt in close victories with Brandon Wimbush at quarterback. That's when head coach Brian Kelly made the QB switch and Book took over. Since then, he has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in college football, completing 72.6% of his passes, second most in the nation. He's not quite the running threat that Wimbush poses, but he has topped 40 rush yards in four of his seven starts.
Click here for more on the Irish.
3 Keys
Protect JT
Notre Dame has a fierce pass rush with 29 sacks on the season. USC's offensive line has been better in pass protection than run blocking with LT Austin Jackson pitching a shutout in terms of pressures in two of the last three games, per PFF College. RT Chuma Edoga would provide a major boost if he returns on Saturday as he's been the second-best pass blocking offensive tackle in the nation this season, per PFF College. Freshman QB JT Daniels has been inconsistent lately with impressive first halves followed by disappointing second halves against Cal and UCLA. If the offensive line gives him time, Daniels will need to put 60 minutes together to spring the upset.
Create an Imbalance
The Fighting Irish have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the country. They are 45th in rushing, averaging 196.8 yards per game on the ground, and 40th in passing at 257.7 yards per game. The Trojans need to take something away. After last week's struggles in run defense, the emphasis will be on gap control and stopping Notre Dame RB Dexter Williams, who has 11 rushing TDs in 7 games. USC DC Clancy Pendergast is in a pick your poison situation, but the Trojans really cannot afford to be hurt by both.
Use the Emotion
Emotions will not be in short supply on Saturday. Frustration hangs over the program at the end of a disappointing season. Add in the mental exercise that is Senior Day for several key players, especially on defense. And finally, there's the excitement of opportunity, a chance to rewrite the ending of this story by crushing Notre Dame's national championship dreams. In this case, it's all good. The Trojans will need to be fueled by emotion to pull off a historic stunner in this great rivalry.
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