Although we have a lot of tough matchups ahead, this is a big measuring stick in a national game. It is too bad USC lost already but they are still a dangerous team with capability of going 11-1 as well and winning a Pac-12 title.

A loss here and we have to see how the team responds but we will lose national relevance for the rest of the season.

10-2 isn't a bad finish at all (and then winning a big bowl game). But I almost want them Irish to win this game more than the UGA game.

Good points. I fear if they can't beat USC at home, Stanford and Miami on the road will be a tough task. That puts 7-5/8-4 into play, which won't do much for Kelly's hot seat, another offseason of disappointment and the continued mediocrity of ND football.

 

So yeah, it's a big game.

It's a huge game.

 

For me and I'm sure others on here, I have been impressed with the team but still holding out until we beat a higher ranked team that probably has more talent than us.

 

This is our chance. We win this game--I will believe we truly do belong with the other top teams. We lose--then in my mind, it's the same stuff we have been dealing with under BK--can't win the big game.

 

This is a benchmark game imo.

I'm hoping usc is really banged up when we play them. It would definitely be a handsome victory.

I'm hoping usc is really banged up when we play them. It would definitely be a handsome victory.

 

I see your point in terms of the appearance of the game and likelihood of a win but still, I disagree (though probably in vain anyway). I want to see ND go toe to toe with them at full strength and beat them soundly. Otherwise it's just more fuel to the "they haven't really played anyone" fire, IMO. Not saying that changes what the Committee thinks either way, but just my own personal opinion.

I see your point in terms of the appearance of the game and likelihood of a win but still, I disagree (though probably in vain anyway). I want to see ND go toe to toe with them at full strength and beat them soundly. Otherwise it's just more fuel to the "they haven't really played anyone" fire, IMO. Not saying that changes what the Committee thinks either way, but just my own personal opinion.

 

Yep. Eventually, to make this transformation complete, ND needs to beat a supposed top flight team, at full strength.

 

No more hoping an opponent's QB is out or something. If ND wants to be a big boy, they need to beat a big boy straight up.

My hope is this ND team is a truly strong squad and we will learn more about how strong they are throughout the season. Always flying under the radar but consistently showing up.

 

I think ALL OF US worry that it is a natural Kelly squad that will crumble. And I'm also thinking of year we "beat" Florida State and then the season fell apart.

As a fan, the UGA loss was obviously a knife to the gut, and I was worried about how they would recover, but I've been happy that they put it behind them quickly and moved on.....

 

.....so this game, if for no other reason, is huge in terms of the team believing that they can beat someone like the Trojans. Let alone national perception, they need the confidence to know that when the clock reads zeros, they came out on top. Not close, not almost, but on top.

 

I wasn't too worried about their mindset after the UGA loss when Tranquil said he felt sorry for all the teams they would be playing from here on out because they're gonna be out to "punish" teams, but if they lose this one, I think that mentality takes a big hit. Only so many times you can lose these big games and keep bouncing back.

With BK's track record I am not expecting an Irish victory.

I'm more worried about NC State. These boys know USC is a big game and we will not get embarrassed. NC State showed last year they have better athletes in the trenches and their D Line looked pretty solid against Louisville.

 

If we lose to USC all bets are off the for final record of the year. BK's teams wheels tend to fall off once we get the second L.

Some really good points. I agree, let’s beat them at full strength, see where we really are.

 

USC is supremely talented, especially on defense, but I wonder about how good their coach is. I think our coaches will outcoach them.

 

We can stop their run, but can we stop darnold? It may come down to how effective Wimbush is throwing the ball. But with a healthier Adams and dex, I hope we see a lot of both.

The worst feeling I have is us coming out and laying an egg like we did in 2011. I have watched enough USC games this year that it is clear to me we are noticeably better.

 

This game at home after a bye is not only a must win but I think a loss would be devastating like the FSU game, leading to 7/8 wins.

 

I'm not too worried about this game because I know we are that much better, we've beat them the last 2 times at home too. Stanford worries me more than anyone, we haven't won there since 07.

The worst feeling I have is us coming out and laying an egg like we did in 2011. I have watched enough USC games this year that it is clear to me we are noticeably better.

 

This game at home after a bye is not only a must win but I think a loss would be devastating like the FSU game, leading to 7/8 wins.

 

I'm not too worried about this game because I know we are that much better, we've beat them the last 2 times at home too. Stanford worries me more than anyone, we haven't won there since 07.

 

2014 wasn't devastating because of that loss, but because Joe Schmidt got hurt the next game (I think the next game) and the defense totally fell apart. They gave up 43.4 points per game after FSU. That is absurdly bad, but that was bad coaching, young players and no leadership.

 

I don't think this team will fall apart like that. They may not end up being as good as we think they are, but I don't think the collapse would be for the same reasons.

2014 wasn't devastating because of that loss, but because Joe Schmidt got hurt the next game (I think the next game) and the defense totally fell apart. They gave up 43.4 points per game after FSU. That is absurdly bad, but that was bad coaching, young players and no leadership.

 

I don't think this team will fall apart like that. They may not end up being as good as we think they are, but I don't think the collapse would be for the same reasons.

 

Yeah the amount of injuries we sustained in 2014 was something we could not overcome.

 

This team to me is clearly Kelly's second best team and we haven't had any major injuries. The difference is I see us outcoaching teams, and I thin we do that to USC severely.

 

Darnold has been atrocious and people want to blame the o line but he's thrown 9 ints in 6 games. Our defensive line is going to dominate the game I have no doubt about that. Elko>Tee Martin, us having a week I will be shocked if USC gets over 20 points.

 

it's rare to say this but we are bigger, stronger, faster, deeper, more physical and have a coaching edge over these Trojans. We still have 3 more games tougher than this one.

Yeah the amount of injuries we sustained in 2014 was something we could not overcome.

 

This team to me is clearly Kelly's second best team and we haven't had any major injuries. The difference is I see us outcoaching teams, and I thin we do that to USC severely.

 

Darnold has been atrocious and people want to blame the o line but he's thrown 9 ints in 6 games. Our defensive line is going to dominate the game I have no doubt about that. Elko>Tee Martin, us having a week I will be shocked if USC gets over 20 points.

 

it's rare to say this but we are bigger, stronger, faster, deeper, more physical and have a coaching edge over these Trojans. We still have 3 more games tougher than this one.

 

Interestingly, and this surprised me as well, Elko led defenses are 3-7 off a bye in his career. They've only held an opponent under 20 two times in those 10 games. Now, some of those were vs. much better teams, ND and Clemson at Wake for example, but just a fun fact to chew on for the week.

 

Last year, Wake lost to Army and gave up 28 points off the bye. Makes me a bit more nervous about Navy than I assumed I'd have to be.

This is just the next rung in the ladder. USC, NC State, Miami and then Stanford. All big games and each one will be bigger than the previous game. I think we run the table.

This wounded dog is ready to be put down. The trojans are more banged-up than I can ever remember. I hope to see Darnold running for his life behind that patchwork O-line. Their receivers kinda suck, but they still have a dangerous QB and badas$ RBs. Keep the game close into the 3rd and watch the attrition take over. Our conditioning in the 4th quarter has been incredible to watch. What a joy.

This wounded dog is ready to be put down. The trojans are more banged-up than I can ever remember. I hope to see Darnold running for his life behind that patchwork O-line. Their receivers kinda suck, but they still have a dangerous QB and badas$ RBs. Keep the game close into the 3rd and watch the attrition take over. Our conditioning in the 4th quarter has been incredible to watch. What a joy.

 

Yes. The speed in their running game is huge.

We did stifle UGA running game pretty well though, IMO.

Yes. The speed in their running game is huge.

We did stifle UGA running game pretty well though, IMO.

 

Yes we did, but I don't think either UGA back is the homerun threat that ronald jones is. They aren't as deep at back as they usually are, and even ronald has a tender ankle right now. Utah will give them everything they have and they'll come limping into South Bend.

This is just the next rung in the ladder. USC, NC State, Miami and then Stanford. All big games and each one will be bigger than the previous game. I think we run the table.

 

Agreed! The USC game is not the entire season.

 

Say ND losses to USC but goes on to run the table after that. The season would be largely considered a success. Saying that USC is a "all or nothing" game suggests that the Irish will implode following a loss (which could happen).

 

What if they beat USC and then lose to NCst and Miami?

 

On the other hand, if ND does lose to USC and begins to unravel knowing that they are out of playoff contention... then the USC game could prove to be pivotal (but that isn't specific to the opponent... could be said of any remaining games).

 

Just to clarify, I don't believe the team will unravel if they suffer another loss. There seems to be some quality leadership on this team and they appear focused. That may be the most noticeable difference from 2016 to 2017.

 

Point is... this is just another big game on a schedule loaded with big games.

Let's be real guys.. until BK shows us that he can hold a 2 loss team together to play through the end of the season every time we have 1 loss, the next game is the end of season.. Don't care if it's Army or USC.

 

I believe his players have bought in more with his refined approach to the HC position, but I wanna see it with my own eyes.. Hopefully we won't have to see it through this year and we can run the table..