Recent Game: Win vs. Cal, 23-9

CAL @ USC - Game Summary: On a day overshadowed by 1 vs. 2, Cal and Southern Cal went out to beat each other for state and conference bragging rights. The game was underway with a Cal kick return, but the Bears could not score. The Trojans drove down the field inside the red zone, but could only come away with three points from kicker Mario Danelo. On the Golden Bears' next possession, they failed to score, as quarterback Nate Longshore threw an interception to safety Taylor Mays at the Trojans' two yard line. That pick, however, would come back to haunt USC. On the very next play, Cal's all-conference defensive lineman Brandon Mebane hit the halfback in the end zone for a safety. The first quarter ended with the Trojans leading, 3-2. Cal did another great job of keeping the Trojans out of the end zone, but Danelo nailed another field goal, this time from 32 yards. Although the Trojans had a 6-2 lead, Cal would not go quietly. Nate Longshore hit Lavelle Hawkins from six yards away, and Cal took a three-point lead. It seemed forever before the next score, going through halftime, and then 10:51 until backup kicker David Buehler knocked through a 49-yard field goal, tying the score at 9. From there, it was all the boys from Troy. First, John David Booty hit Dwayne Jarrett for a 25 yard touchdown. Although the Coliseum was rocking with their team having taken the lead, nobody seemed to notice that Jarrett got hit by two Cal defenders, and was shaken up. He was carried off to the sidelines, but he'll be okay for next week for the Notre Dame game. The Trojans would score again on a pass to Steve Smith. With time running down, and the Trojans ahead 23-9, there was nothing that the Bears could do. USC clinched a share of the Pac-10 title, and the Rose Bowl at least (not bad)! Pete Carroll is now 2 for 2 in his "playoffs".

TROJANS REPORT CARD: vs. Cal

QB: A
RB: B-
WR: A-
OL: A
DL: B+
LB: A
DB: A
CO: A+

NOTRE DAME @ USC - Matchups

In the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh, both the Irish and the Trojans bring their A-game, but who has the edge in key offensive postion matchups?

QB - NOTRE DAME: All the credit in the world goes to first-year starter John David Booty, but, quite simply, he isn't Brady Quinn. With all the talk of a Heisman trophy at the beginning of the year, Quinn hasn't quite panned out, but he is still a tad better than Booty.

RB - USC: There is no question as to my running back pick, as the Trojans have too much depth. Alone, Darius Walker is a very good back for the Irish, but the tandem of Chauncey Washington (who may not be at 100%) and C.J. Gable that Pete Carroll has to work with has the edge.

WR - USC: Those of you who disagree with this pick should be ashamed. Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett would beat Jeff Samardzija and John Carlson any day. With two All-American candidates on the Trojans' squad, they win the receiving battle.

OL - USC: The Trojans, not the Irish, seem to have all the luck. Usually, with a top quarterback, running backs, and receivers, the line is a forgotten piece of the offense. Not in L.A., where the linemen come All-American style, such as LT Sam Baker and C Ryan Kalil.

Offense - USC: Although they lost legends such as Matt Leinart, LenDale White, Reggie Bush, Fred Matua, Deuce Lutui, and Winston Justice to the NFL, the Trojans still have one of the top offenses in the land. However, a trio of Quinn/Walker/Samardzija isn't bad either.

11/24/06: ONE DAY AWAY!!!!!! Time for my prediction: ND 24, USC 31