Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Southern California Trojans

Notre Dame Fighting Irish #1 (11-0) vs. USC Trojans (7-4)

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

Sportacular Sport's College Football Recap

Saturday was yet another great day of College Football. A ton of top 25 matchups and a few upsets later we have a new landscape for the remaining 2012 season.

Alabama Crimson Tide-38-Mississippi State Bulldogs-7

Alabama proved on Saturday Night why they clearly deserved to be the #1 team in the nation. At home, the Tide schlacked Mississippi State behind 208 yards and 2 TD's from AJ McCarron and 84 yards and a TD from T.J. Yeldon. While teams like Oregon, Kansas State, and Notre Dame may be fighting for the 2nd spot, if the Tide get by LSU next weekend they seem almost an ultimate lock for the National Championship. Mississippi State was undefeated and are still a very good team who unfortunately are playing in the SEC where at 7-1 are somehow irrelevant. Look for them to be in a decent bowl game.

Oregon and Kansas State Take Care of Business

The flashy Oregon Ducks yet again crushed an undermined Colorado team 70-14. De'Anthony Thomas had an electrifying punt return and Kenjon Barner had 9 rushes for 104 yards and two scores himself. Oregon's real tests come in their next 4 games. On the road for USC, California, and Oregon State and than a home matchup against the Cardinals of Stanford. If Oregon gets through this tough stretch unscathed, look for the high-powered Ducks to take on Alabama in the title game. 

If the Ducks do slip up though, the surprising Kansas State Wildcats look like they have a legitimate shot after defeats over West Virginia, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. Kansas State only led by 3 at the end of the First Half, but exploded in the 2nd and finished with a final of 55-24. Klein further embellished his Heisman Resume as well as their National Championship Resume. It should be a very exciting last few weeks.

Georgia and Notre Dame with Statement Wins

The Florida Gators traveled to Athens, Georgia and put themselves in a deep hole for the National Championship race. Florida turned the ball over a total of 6 times and Georgia pulled even in the SEC East. Florida turned the ball over way too much to win this game and Georgia held on 17-9 making it an interesting race to Atlanta. Both teams seem to have a cake-walk on the rest of their SEC schedule so a slip-up would be very interesting. 

On the other hand, Notre Dame is very relevant again. Notre Dame stormed into Norman, Oklahoma and won by the score of 30-13. The game was much closer than a 17 point victory but Notre Dame could easily be 11-0 heading into their matchup with USC. Manti Te'o had a game changing interception and may be the dark horse in the Heisman Race. Not having a conference schedule may hurt the Irish unless both the Ducks and Wildcats slip up. 

USC and Michigan Upset

Preseason favorite #1 USC and Heisman favorite Matt Barkley fell again to the Arizona Wildcats. Marqise Lee had an unbelievable 345 yards receiving and the Trojans still lost. Arizona held on for a 39-36 win eliminating all hope for a pac-12 championship. USC can still play spoiler with games remaining at home against Oregon and Notre Dame.

#22 Michigan lost 23-9 at Nebraska on Saturday Night. This creates an even tie at the top of the Legends division in the Big 10. Denard Robinson left the game late in the 2nd quarter and never returned with nerve damage in his elbow. Freshman Russel Bellomy couldn't get anything started and his three completions matched his three interceptions. Michigan is a little disappointing this season but with a little bit of help could reach the Big 10 Championship game in Indianapolis.