Everything was in place for the defining victory to catapult ND into BCS discussion and grab a few elite recruits along the way.

Didn’t happen on or off the field.

This was the year — USC banged up and less talented than ND for the first time in years.

The only problem, as I saw it, was that the ND players did not think they could beat USC and they didn’t.

First half the offense played scared and NON physical. Defense was bad. Gradually got into the game and then pissed it all away.

The ND defense did not quit (charitable) they just flat-lined and were physically worn out in the 4th quarter–despite all that Longo crap.

USC had injuries also–so losing E. Johnson should not have led to a defensive collapse.

That’s it folks–we may never beat USC again–the stars were aligned but team didn’t show up.