Irish, Trojans Meet in Key BCS Battle

The Notre Dame versus USC game is always one of the main attractions of the college football season.

Two college football powers with gobs of tradition square off each year in a rivalry that's grown even more intense since Charlie Weis landed in South Bend.

Last season, the Trojans defeated the Irish in a last second win when Matt Leinart scored from a yard out - or as Notre Dame fans argue - he was pushed in by teammates after forward progress was stopped. And of course don't forget the fumble out of bounds that still has Touchdown Jesus angry.

Now the scene shifts to sunny SoCal, where the stakes are even higher and the pressure more intense. When the Irish and Trojans hit the Colosseum Saturday night a potential national championship game will be on the line.

USC is 9-1 and ranked third in the nation, while Notre Dame is 10-1 and rated sixth. Even more important - the Trojans are third in the BCS and the Irish are fifth. With Michigan No. 2 in the BCS Standings and its season complete, a victory from either team could have huge implications in the national title picture.

The only other game this week involving ranked teams is an SEC battle between fifth-ranked Arkansas (10-1) hosting No.9 LSU (9-2).

In Thursday night action, the Miami Hurricanes (6-6) snapped a four-game losing streak and became bowl eligible with a 17-14 upset of No. 18 Boston College.

Embattled head coach Larry Coker got 181 yards passing and a touchdown from Kirby Freeman and Javarris James scored from two-yards out for the winning touchdown. The Eagles (9-3) saw their hopes of playing for the ACC title go out the window. Boston College has now lost 15 straight to Miami.

Here's the Corners predictions for this weeks Top 25 battles:

Notre Dame (6) and USC (3)
The Trojans have won 32 straight games at home and the Irish have never lost a regular-season road game (9) with Charlie Weis as head coach. Something has got to give. Winner: USC.

Florida (4) at Florida State
Urban Meyer is 5-0 against FSU, Georgia and Tennessee. The Seminoles are looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak to the Gators since 1984-86. Winner: Florida.

LSU (9) at Arkansas (5)
This one is for the Golden Boot trophy. The Tigers have kicked the Hogs around four of the last five meetings, but Arkansas is also playing for its first-ever perfect SEC season (8-0). Winner: LSU.

South Florida at West Virginia (7)
The Mountaineers still have BCS hopes but they need Louisville to lose another game to avoid losing the tiebreaker. Winner: West Virginia.

Louisville (8) at Pittsburgh
The Cardinals are in the same situation as the Mountaineers. Louisville still has BCS hopes but need Rutgers to drop another game to to avoid losing in the tiebreaker. Winner: Lousiville.

Texas A&M at Texas (11)
The Longhorns haven't lost consecutive games since 1999. In fact, Texas has won its last 10 games following a loss. Winner: Texas.

Boise State (12) at Nevada
The Broncos look to complete a perfect regular season, secure their fifth straight WAC title and clinch a BCS berth in the process. Standing in the way is a Wolf Pack team that's 5-0 in Reno. Winner: Boise State.

Oklahoma (13) at Oklahoma State
The Sooners head into Stillwater for the annual Bedlam matchup with an outside shot at the Big 12 South title still in play. Winner: Oklahoma.

Syracuse at Rutgers (15)
The perfect season and BCS championship game talk have vaporized for the Knights. But they could still finish perfect at home for the first time since 1984 and they still control their own destiny for the Big East title. Winner: Rutgers.

Georgia Tech (16) at Georgia
Georgia has won all five meetings in the Governor's Cup series under Mark Richt after dropping the previous three. That streak ends on Saturday. Winner: Georgia Tech.

Virginia at Virginia Tech (17)
The Cavaliers need a win to become bowl eligible, but they will be trying to do so in a place that hasn't seen a Virginia win since 1998. After losing at BC in early October, the Hokies have reeled off five straight wins by a 127-29 score. Winner: Virginia Tech.

Kentucky at Tennessee (19)
The Vols have won 21 straight meetings against their neighbors to the north. Only Notre Dame's 43-game run against Navy represents a longer current Division I-A run. Winner: Tennessee.

Wake Forest (20) at Maryland
The good news is that a Wake win means the Demon Deacons earn a spot in the ACC Championship. The bad news is that Jim Grobe has never beaten the Terps (0-5). Winner: Wake Forest.

BYU (21) at Utah
The Cougars are 7-0 in Mountain West play and looking for their first unbeaten conference season since 2001. But the Utes have won the last four meetings and nine of the last 13 in this rivalry. Winner: BYU.

Colorado at Nebraska (23)
The Huskers are 5-1 at home this fall and the Buffaloes have lost 13 straight games to ranked teams. Good news for the Cornhuskers. Winner: Nebraska.

South Carolina at Clemson (24)
The Tigers have won four straight and eight of the last nine meetings in this rivalry. Winner: Clemson.

Purdue at Hawaii (25)
Hawaii QB Colt Brennan has thrown 48 TD passes in 11 games this season. The single season NCAA mark of 54 was set by Houston's David Klingler in 1990. Winner: Purdue.

The Corner Lowdown:
Last week: 14-3
Overall: 150-35


Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Do you love football? Then tune it to the Football Fanatics Show!