(UPDATE: Since the composition and publication of this game preview, a bombshell was dropped which completely overshadows all other aspects and circumstances surrounding this game. The Notre Dame football program was hit with severe sanctions by the NCAA, as they will now have all their wins from 2012 and 2013 vacated. ND immediately appealed the decision.)
Here’s a link to much more on this. Now, back to the game preview-
Notre Dame football Coach Brian Kelly tried to inject some dry comedy into the season, because at this point it’s the healthiest coping mechanism you can have.
“You know, we’re going to wake up from this nightmare and we’re going to be 11-0 I think,” Kelly told the media after his team blew a 24-7 lead and lost to Virginia Tech at home on Senior Day. He then paused, and realized that no one in the room was laughing.
He then changed course as he continued: “Maybe not. I just don’t — they work hard. They did everything I wanted them to do. There are some things we’re going to have to do in the off-season to address it.”
Seven defeats by a grand total of 32 points this season for the Irish. Seven times they’ve blown a 17 point lead this year.
“These kids are wonderful kids. I mean, I’m at loss for words really as to what to tell them, you know. It’s just been a difficult year,” Kelly lamented. Amen.
SPREAD: USC -17.5
TV: ABC/ESPN RADIO 3:30 EST Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Todd McShay
Radio: Tom Ramsey
USC Trojans Preview:
I talked some Notre Dame while appearing as a guest on CLTV “Sports Feed” with Jarrett Payton (yes, he’s Walter’s son) at WGN Studios. Have a watch below:
There are playmakers all around for this USC team, a side that started very slow this season, but has it figured out right now. JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the nation’s top receivers. Adoree’ Jackson, a cornerback who makes occasional appearances as a receiver, is another. Both could be first round picks come April.
Quarterback Sam Darnold has established himself as the next great signal caller in the land of Troy. As he’s developed so has this team and he excels by spreading the ball around to several different backs and receivers.
Many were critical of USC’s decision to not go and try lure a big name, and instead just retain interim coach Clay Helton. However, its proven to be the right call.
The Trojans can still reach the Pac 12 title game, but they need help.
The Trojans need Utah to play spoiler and defeat Colorado next Saturday at Folsom Field. USC and Colorado then would finish with identical 7-2 conference records and be named Pac-12 South co-champions. However, USC would head to Santa Clara by virtue of its 21-17 win over the Buffs back on Oct. 8.
I think they’ll take out the winner of the Apple Cup in the conference title game, should they earn a berth in it.
SERIES NOTES: This game is customarily on the Saturday following Thanksgiving Day when the game is played in Los Angeles or on the third Saturday of October when the game is played in South Bend. Each school has won 11 national championships and 7 Heisman Trophies and thus the Jeweled Shillelagh rivalry, which began in 1926, is considered one of the most important in college football, and is often called the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football.
Don’t you just love “hate week?”
Notre Dame football Preview:
Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer does not anticipate any issue with his guys getting up for this final game.
“No, it’s USC in the coliseum,” he said after Va Tech eliminated the Irish from bowl contention.
“Notre Dame, USC, what else do you play this game for? What I do know is we have seven days to practice together and prepare ourselves against USC and I think that with the mindset of that I just saw in that locker room that everyone’s going to be a hundred percent committed to doing whatever it takes to beat those guys and finish the season off on a win.”
I can tell that a lot of Notre Dame football fans have checked out this season (the page views numbers have sent your message to me loud and clear), and it’s quite clear that this might be the one of the lowest rated USC-ND games of all time. I get that.
Watch it to see what might be Kizer’s final game. Will he declare early for the NFL Draft once the season is over.
When will he make this life-altering decision? Is there a timetable?
“Obviously, I have no idea,” DeShone Kizer responded. Then he gave the quote of the year, in my opinion, or at least, the VERY BEST answer I’ve received, in a VERY LONG time, to one of my interview questions. Hence it’s in bold:
“I know that as a business major, as a guy who considers himself an intellect, I’m going to make sure that everything is calculated and that I’m well informed before I do make a decision.”
Given the current horrendous political climate in America, at least in regards to intellectualism, logic, reasoning and thinking in America, it was extremely brave and admirable of Kizer to say that. A big time star athlete wearing the “intellect” label proudly was a very special moment.
By the way for the full Kizer conversation about his potential NFL future go to this link.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/800427907361423361
Fake news isn't the problem, its the symptom. The problem is we have a society that sees research and deductive reasoning as vices.
— JP ??? (@jjhparker) November 21, 2016
Prediction: USC 37, Notre Dame football 17
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.