I just want to throw this out there, but the all-knowing god Stewart Mandel is a cock, plain and simple. I think I've found a writer that hates ND more than Mark May or Dennis Dodd, and that is saying a ton! In his 'power rankings' Mandel disrespects ND twice by saying that

 

1. "USC's D will face their toughest test of the season Saturday vs. Cal"

 

and then

 

2. "ND will lose to Southern Cal by at least 17 points in 2 weeks"

 

who the hell does this guy think he is?!?! I realize that he is a fat ass that knows nothing about football and probably never competed in athletics in his life, but get off your throne ass. I can't wait for Brady and company to make you look like the stupid bigot that you are.

2. "ND will lose to Southern Cal by at least 17 points in 2 weeks"

it could happen. i mean NDs defense has a hard time with teams with good WRs, how many times this year has ND got beaten deep (USC has three real good WRs). NDs offense has struggled against good defenses this year, the OL isn't opening to many holes in the running game and how many times did UNC put ND into 3rd and long. i don't think ND will lose by 17 but i do think they'll lose.

well Russ, at least you're confident.

 

I agree we COULD lose, but I don't THINK we will. If we can't get up for this game, especially our seniors that have never beaten the Trojans, then ya, we deserve to lose. I just don't think that will be the case.

WE WILL NOT LOSE TO USC!

right now i feel that USC's defense will do a better job slowing down our offense then ND's defense slowing down USC's offense. our lack of defense and OL protection will be the reason we lose to USC.

russ, why would you say, "I think they'll lose". i guess i just don't understand how you can enjoy being a fan that goes into games thinking we'll lose. i mean i'm sure we all thought oregon state would lose, but they didn't. i guess i don't see how you can root for a team thinking the whole time, "well they'll probably lose".

russ, why would you say, "I think they'll lose".

how many times did ND get beat deep against UM, MSU, PU, UNC and even Air Force. it's a fact that ND can't defend teams that have good WRs and USC has the best trio of WRs ND will face all year. a good example is the UCLA game. UCLA was i think rated in the top 10 in defense and they totally stuffed NDs offense, USC's defense is ver simular. i hate to be the one to tell you but NDs defense is bad and if they can't get pressure on john booty then NDs DB's wont stand a chance against jarret, smith and turner.

i think ND will put up a good fight but i wouldn't put my money on the ND defensive backs.

i think ND will put up a good fight but i wouldn't put my money on the ND defensive backs.

Russ, I think I tend to agree with you the most out of any of the other posters on this board.

 

Let's be honest folks, our CB's can't cover to save their lives. I'm not looking forward to Jarret, Smith and Turner going up against our secondary.

 

If we want to win, I think we have to win in shootout-style game in the Collliseum.

I understand being realistic, Russ. Obviously it'll be a tough game.

 

But, USC are not a great team this year. They are obviously good (#3) and quite talented, but their defense has underachieved again and doesn't scare me. Very little pass rush, average DBs. Their offense meanwhile has some trouble running the ball, much like us. Also, our QB is much better.

 

The real reason I think we will win is because of Charlie Weis. His gameplan and our execution last year was unbelievable. I have no reason to think he won't do it again. I think our team is as good as last year's (not necessarily better), and theirs is weaker. Yes its at USC, but Charlie is undefeated away from Notre Dame Stadium.

 

It'll be tough, but I like our chances, and I think it will come down to a last minute drive. I just hope we end up on top this time.

guys...

 

im beginning to feel beating USC is a MUST to my life. there is an extremely arrogant, cocky, USC fan in my grade. he thinks hes great and worst of all, he think USC is better then ND. I would like not only to shove it in his face...but shove it in ALL SC FANS FACES, especially for Champ, Scotty, and anyother DDer who lives in Southern Cal. i think our D will be exTREMELY hyped up for this game, and this is the clincher in the Heisman race. Russ, i know you want ND to win dont worry, but ill put my life savings ($200) on the game with anyone who wants it. Ill give you my address in a pm so you can sue me if i dont pay up...but i wont have to. THAT is how confident i am we can march into the Collosseum and...as Atlanta Irish's avatar says...SPANK BOOTY

USC has turnover issues, this will haunt them against ND.

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Gallup you're my boy!

Russ, i totally agree that our DB's are awful, but were they any better last year? Of course not. They are a little better this year infact. The way i see it is:

 

DL-much improved

DBs- improvement not that noticeable

OL-not as good as last years

QB- better than last year, even behind a bad OL

RB- better than last year thanks to aldridge who will play more in the next two games as he did in airforce, miss schwapp though

WR- about the same, Shark is amazing once again and Rhema is an atheletic threat...this year we also have Grimes as a great third WR that we didn't have last year

TE-if carlson is gone then this is a huge blow, but i dont' think out TE will fumble this year either

 

@USC...some would say this is an advantage b/c of how well we play on the road, i'd call it a wash.

 

all i'm saying is that we've improved and they've lost a lot of talent. besides the OL we are better in every facet of the game. what makes you think we will lose.

 

i know you don't agree with mandell but this just proves how stupid he is to say we'll lose by 17 in a matter of fact way.

Scotty, are there SC fans at your office? you should start an office pool about the game...

Here's what is most interesting part of the game:

 

Charlie Weis has never lost a road game.....

Pete Carroll is undefeated in November as SC's coach....

 

Something's gotta give

Yes, in big numbers. I have Irish logos all over my desk and board. They were mysteriously tacked over by SC logos when I was out last week. This is a huge game for me, when we win......I'm pounding on my ceiling to get back at my neighbor who's an SC fan (was a UCLA fan until recently, like many of these SC fans). My dad is sending out an ND flag, it will fly proudly...I guarantee that! GO IRISH!!!!

i think ND will put up a good fight but i wouldn't put my money on the ND defensive backs.

Russ, I think I tend to agree with you the most out of any of the other posters on this board.

 

Let's be honest folks, our CB's can't cover to save their lives. I'm not looking forward to Jarret, Smith and Turner going up against our secondary.

 

If we want to win, I think we have to win in shootout-style game in the Collliseum.

 

I think you're overstating this quite a bit shark. Our DB's have not played consistent, but don't believe the hype from the national media about our D. Sure we've been beaten deep, particularly by Manningham 3 times, but we have also had stretches where we've played solid. Our D is not the strength of our team, but SC lost to OREGON STATE GUYS!!! OREGON STATE!!!

 

I don't care how good they look now, Booty is no Leinart and our guys will playing their asses off in this game. Our offense has played better and it should be a close game, win or lose.

 

And don't think for one minute that Weis won't use comments like the one in these power rankings to fire up the D.

Ignore what you think might or might not happen in L.A.

 

 

Mandel (and maybe Dodd) is the most biased writer out there. #10? Thankfully the AP Poll is no more

Hey SOKO nice to hear from you. That is nice to remember that Weis has won all road games. I've been astounded in life that they actuall pay Mark Mays.

But, USC are not a great team this year. They are obviously good (#3) and quite talented, but their defense has underachieved again and doesn't scare me. Very little pass rush, average DBs. Their offense meanwhile has some trouble running the ball, much like us. Also, our QB is much better.

without reggie bush this year USC isn't that explosive running the ball and i feel that ND can make their run game into a non factor, i think USC is only averaging about 130 yards rushing a game. john booty is i think throwing just under 60% this year i think but he does have the WRs. i don't know much about the defense but if the OL can protect BQ then CW will get the WRs open. it's really going to come down to two things, pass rush and protecting BQ.

Russ - I agree with most of what you said, but the thing that worries me most is our running game. Last year, we were able to hide our DBs quite a bit and keep the defense off the field by chewing up clock on the ground. We have not been able to do that consistently this year.

 

If we are not able to run consistently, we'll have to count on BQ's hot hand and a few turnovers.