The Grand daddy of them all (Brent Musberger voice) takes place tonight. Not actually, but no doubt this will be the most important game that takes place this evening. Earlier today, Ohio State locked up an undefeated season that would have placed them in the National Championship with this Irish team. Instead, with a win, the Irish will most likely face the winner of the SEC championship between Alabama (49-0 lead over Auburn) and Georgia (42-10 win today over Georgia Tech). The irony behind this game is that the pre-season national champion pick and Heisman favorite are now on the other side of the ball. I don't want to necessarily say that LB Manti Te'o is the favorite but he has an excellent chance now that Kenjon Barner and Collin Klein's teams have lost. Pre-season #1 USC led by Senior QB Matt Barkley has greatly underachieved this season. USC will try to play spoiler tonight with Matt Barkley sitting out of tonight's game with an injury.
USC will suit up behind redshirt freshman QB Max Wittek. The freshman earlier in the week said, "I will play within myself, I will play within the system, and we will win this game." Of course, the national media blew the entire thing up saying a freshman guaranteed a W over the number one team in the land. But, what else should the kid have said, We are going to lose? No, I understand he could have said none of that but he isn't pulling a Joe Namath. USC trusts this kid and are confident in pulling the upset. The Trojans are still excellent with a stud duo of wide receivers, Marquise Lee and Robert Woods. USC at home will be no pushover.
Now for the Fighting Irish. The Irish who were projected to have a good season have played all out defense and carried themselves to their "semi final game". A win in Cali tonight clinches a spot in the National Championship game and these kids know it. As much as I want the upset, this Irish team is too resilient and will be extremely focused tonight. Every team has to win one of the tight games that could cost them a chance and I think Notre Dame got past that against Pittsburgh. Manti Te'o is an excellent leader and no one scores many points against Notre Dame. Unfortunately, I don't think Notre Dame will be able to play with an Alabama or Georgia. 
Prediction: I don't want to pick against my hopes here, but I have to because I see Notre Dame winning this game. Notre Dame has faced Senior Quarterbacks on the road and they haven't fared well, I don't see Max Wittek pulling the upset. The way that USC can win this ball game is with excellent defense and they just don't have it. Final Score: Notre Dame-27 USC-17
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