This Thursday, October 15th, marks the ten-year anniversary of one of the greatest college football games ever played, the infamous “Bush Push” game between Notre Dame and USC. Considered by many to be the best regular season game of the modern era, the “Bush Push” game marked USC’s twenty-eighth straight win in 2005, the middle of the Trojans’ reign over college football. The game will always be remembered primarily for Reggie Bush’s illegal push of Matt Leinart into the end zone with just seconds remaining, but also for the popularity it brought college football during what some consider to be the sport’s golden age. It is only fitting, then, that the Irish and Trojans meet in the same stadium this weekend for the eighty-seventh time in the rivalry’s storied history.
The Notre Dame-USC rivalry began in 1926 and is often called the best intersectional rivalry in college football. The two schools have combined for thirteen Heisman Trophy winners and twenty-two national titles. College football legends have played and coached on both sidelines. The two powerhouses have met to produce some of the greatest games in college football history. It seems that every Notre Dame-USC matchup brings national headlines with it. Whether the game has national championship implications, players in the hunt for individual awards, or controversy, there is always a reason for fans of any team to tune in to the game. This year’s clash is no different. The Trojans, who were preseason favorites to reach the College Football Playoff, have seen their season turn upside down in the past week. Now former head coach Steve Sarkisian was fired from the university this past Monday after admitting to having an alcohol addiction that interfered with his professional life. Sarkisian was initially placed on a leave of absence amid allegations that he arrived to a team meeting intoxicated, and was later fired after athletic director Pat Haden determined that he “was not healthy.” Sarkisian has since begun rehab, and the entire college football community is hopeful for his recovery.
It’s easy to write off the Trojans in this week’s game, considering the off field issues the team has had to deal with. Notre Dame is familiar with USC’s struggles in recent years, but they also know that doesn’t mean the Trojans can’t leave South Bend with a victory. The last time USC played there in 2013, the team had fired coach Lane Kiffin just two weeks prior. The national media had all but forgotten about the Trojans until they nearly upset the Irish, losing by only four, 14-10. The Trojans went on to win six of their next seven games and salvage their season. The Irish were able to come away with a victory that day, but the team is aware of the similarities between that game and the buildup of this year’s. “Teams come together under those circumstances,” Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said when asked about Southern Cal’s recent struggles. “It’s a rivalry game for them as well… a chance for them to respond. You look at the way Texas responded this past weekend with a lot of media scrutiny. I expect USC to respond the same way.”
Beyond trying to ruin the new coaching debut, Notre Dame hopes to defeat USC and erase the memory of last year’s game, in which they were thrashed 49-14. Team captain and middle linebacker Joe Schmidt spoke about forgetting that feeling this week – “I just remember not knowing what to do and how to coach the guys once we were down 21-0 in the first quarter… I remember the looks on their faces and the way that I felt, and it was a feeling that I never want to duplicate. I’d say it’s one of my least fond memories of my football career.” Kelly, Schmidt, and the Irish look to welcome new interim head coach Clay Helton into his tenure the same they welcomed Ed Orgeron into his two years ago – with a loss.
If the Irish plan to do this, they’ll need to find a way to shut down Trojan quarterback Cody Kessler, who is one of the most prolific passers in the country. Kessler ripped apart the injured Notre Dame secondary last season for 372 yards and six touchdowns; the most a Notre Dame defense has ever surrendered. Kessler has continued his dominance through the air this season, throwing for 1,453 yards and fifteen touchdowns through just five games. Notre Dame’s defensive line has carried the defense thus far this season and will need to create pressure to force Kessler to make quick throws. The Irish secondary has not created many turnovers so far this season, but will have many opportunities this weekend against an offense that relies heavily on the passing game. Washington held the USC offense to just twelve points last weekend and intercepted Kessler twice. Notre Dame’s defense is much more capable than the Huskies, so look for the Irish to play aggressively in hopes for a big play.
While Southern Cal’s offense has played well outside of last weekend, Notre Dame’s offense was able to get back on track against Navy after a poor showing against Clemson two weeks ago. In place of the injured Malik Zaire, freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer has played well enough to keep his team in games, making big plays on a number of third downs so far this year. Kizer continues to grow each week and improve his play, but faces a talented USC secondary that includes standout WR/CB hybrid Adoree Jackson.
Notre Dame Running back C.J. Prosise has lightened the load for an inexperienced Kizer and paced Notre Dame’s offense this season, and is likely to do so again Saturday. Like so many others, Prosise struggled against Clemson but rebounded last week against Navy, turning in his fourth performance of over 100 yards this season while also finding the end zone three times. Clemson focused on stopping Notre Dame’s rushing attack from the very start of the game and was able to do so. Look for USC to use the same philosophy and try to force the arm of Notre Dame’s freshman quarterback to beat them through the air. Notre Dame’s offensive line has disappointed through the first six games, and will need to bounce back against the Trojans if the Irish are going to get their running game going.
This week’s matchup between Notre Dame and USC has storylines that suggest it could be a classic one. The Irish enter the game ranked and very much in the playoff race. USC was a popular pick for the playoff in the preseason, but with two losses can now only spoil a trip for someone else, like the Irish. This rivalry is no stranger to seeing a highly ranked team be upset by an unranked opponent. With the game falling on the anniversary week of one of the best finishes in the rivalry’s history, there is no reason to believe we might not see another game for the ages this Saturday in South Bend, but only time will tell.
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