Notre Dame at USC

The Trojans let one slip away on the road vs Oregon State and will probably live to want that one over as it is their only blemish and will likely keep them out of the National Championship game. That loss may also cost the Trojans a trip to the Rose Bowl as Oregon State holds the tiebreaker with their win over USC. They now take on a bitter rival in Notre Dame, a team that hasn't beaten them since the 2001-02 season. The Irish are improved from a year ago, but a loss at home to lowly Syracuse shows the true distance between these teams. USC can certainly let down in games vs. weak competition as was shown vs. the Beavers. But, despite the Fighting Irish being weak, the perception is different, given the name and the long-time rivalry. The Trojans won't likely miss an opportunity to lay it on vs. the Irish. USC will likely be going for style points here as they will try to improve upon their #5 BCS ranking and the Irish are just simply out-manned at every position on the field and the Trojans could name their score here and likely will. I'll lay the big chalk and back the Trojans.