USC WEEK
The defining moment(s) arrive for this Notre Dame team in the next 2 games.
First up– USC (5-1). First real test for the ND secondary with Matt Barkley at QB. This guy can throw and everyone knows if he played last year USC would have won that game. This is not the powerhouse teams of the Pete Carroll era but they are good enough to beat this ND team. They have a great receiver in Woods, they will try to match him up against Gary Gray as well as the ILB’S.
Barkley is basically a pocket passer–so ND’s pass rush is critical–Aaron Lynch must have a super game.
A lot is riding on this game–ND’s season as well as recruiting–ton of prospects will attend. Atmosphere will be electric and don’t be surprised if the Green Jersey is worn.
Week 2–Navy and the option game. I am not buying that “we planned to give up yards but not points” ND has not solved the option at all–this will be a tough game
The key to both games is ND’s OL play and QB Rees.
Hope the bye week doesn’t put Rees back to game 1–USF.
2 thoughts on “USC WEEK”
USC didn’t look great during the Cal game and they suffered some injuries. ND will have to be flawless on both sides of the ball and Special teams must come alive. I agree that Lynch and Rees must have stellar games but the one who is going to have to really come up with big plays is Harrison Smith. I’ve been having night sweats about Gary Gray. I hope they don’t come out in Green. I want them to beat them down wearing the Blue and Gold and put the green jersey thing away for good. I’m gonna say ND wins by 7. But it will be very close .
While I prefer ND stick with Blue & Gold, I think Kelly wants to make this a statement game
and spur this team to play crazy.
It may be that 1 game a year will be green–the downside–just don’t lose. Green certainly spurred the 2005 team–Bush push but look how hard that team played.
Think this is all about recruits as well–night game, national TV–get everyone jazzed.
Agree about H.Smith–he really has to play much better–he needs at least 2 pics. Slaughter ahead of Motta as starter.