GAME NOTES: What was considered a premier matchup a couple of seasons ago, has lost some of its luster in 2007, as the 13th-ranked USC Trojans make the trip to South Bend this weekend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Pete Carroll's Trojans are on the outside looking in at the national title picture following a stunning upset against Stanford (24-23) two weeks ago, and a lethargic victory over Arizona last weekend (20-13). With the recent win though, USC moved to 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in Pac-10 play. The Irish have long been off the radar in terms of the postseason and have struggled big time this season, en route to a 1-6 record thus far. Charlie Weis' troops lost their first five games in 2007, before finally landing in the win column with a 20-6 win at UCLA on October 6th. However, the momentum was halted last week with a 27-14 setback to Boston College. This marks the 79th all-time meeting in the arguably college football's top intersectional rivalry. The Trojans trail in the series, 42-31-5, but have closed the gap with five straight wins over the Irish. A win this weekend would make it six in a row for USC, the longest such streak in series history for the Trojans.

Depending on the status of QB John David Booty (fractured finger), the USC offense may be under the control of Mark Sanchez for the second straight week. Just a sophomore, Sanchez led the Trojans to a come-from-behind win over the Wildcats a week ago, but this is a vastly different offense without Booty under center. On the year, USC has been effective thanks to a balanced offense averaging 430.2 yards per game. The ground game is responsible for a hefty 198.2 yards per game, with the passing attack generating another 232.0 ypg. The receiving corps doesn't matchup to the ones that dominated the competition the last few years for USC, but that has allowed TE Fred Davis to emerge as one of the best at his position in the nation. Davis leads the team in receptions (29), receiving yards (498) and TD catches (4). The ground game is a nice mix of youth and veteran leadership with sophomore Stafon Johnson (8.2 ypc and four TDs) and senior Chauncey Washington (4.3 ypc, six TDs).

With the offense taking a step or two back to Earth this season, the USC defense has had to step up and really dominate. The unit has done that for the most part, effectively shutting down both the run (66.8 ypg, 2.3 ypc) and the pass (199.8 ypg). The result is the eighth-ranked unit in the nation in terms of total defense (266.7 ypg). The defense lacks big name stars, but there are playmakers all over the field. The linebacking corps features talented players like Keith Rivers (team-high 46 tackles) and Rey Maualuga (40 tackles, one sack). The pass rush has been inconsistent this year, with only 12 registered sacks in the first six games. However, teams still have to gameplan for talented linemen like Lawrence Jackson (22 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.0 sacks) and Sedrick Ellis (22 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks). Junior safety Kevin Ellison (25 tackles, two forced fumbles) anchors the secondary after earning Second- Team All-American honors as a sophomore in 2006.

Charlie Weis is considered an offensive guru in most circles, but this year has tested his ability to move the chains. The lack of consistency under center is the biggest culprit. No longer does Weis have an All-American driving the car and it shows. Freshman Jimmy Clausen may be the next great Irish signal-caller, but he has taken his lumps this year. The Irish offense has been stagnant at best, averaging a mere 11.4 ppg on just 190.9 ypg. In addition, the Irish have managed to score just seven offensive TDs in the first seven games. The ground game has provided no relief for whoever is under center, with ND netting just 1.0 ypc and a measly 32.1 ypg. Because of that, opponents have been able to tee off on Notre Dame QBs. Clausen has thrown for just 618 yards in seven games (six starts) this year, with one TD and five INTs. He will move over for Evan Sharpley this week, although Sharpley hasn't been any better, throwing for 479 yards, with three TDs and two picks. Like USC, the best downfield threat for the Irish is a talented TE. John Carlson leads the team in receptions, with 22 catches, although it is for only 160 yards. The offensive line has been a turnstyle for the opposition, allowing a whopping 34 sacks this season.

With the Irish offense not getting much done, the defense has had to log a lot of minutes on the field. To its credit, the unit has forced 17 turnovers thus far and has done a decent job against the pass (173.3 ypg). The rush defense has struggled though (186.7 ypg, 4.2 ypc). It says something, when a downlineman leads the team in tackles and that is the case with defensive end Trevor Laws, who has recorded 58 total stops, with 5.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks. He is followed closely by linebackers Joe Brockington (57 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, two fumble recoveries) and Maurice Crum (48 tackles, two INTs, two fumble recoveries). Former All-American safety Tom Zbikowski (41 tackles, one sack, one INT) highlights the play in the secondary.

The Irish lack the talent on either side of the ball this year to beat a team like USC. However, if Mark Sanchez gets the nod for the Trojans, Notre Dame has a chance to ride the crowd's adrenaline and perhaps keep things close for a while.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: USC 31, Notre Dame 13