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College Football Weekly
Look Ahead – Week 13
Notre Dame at USC 2006
After a wonderful Michigan/Ohio State game, this week the BCS picture becomes
even clearer when Notre Dame travels to Los Angeles to play USC. Both come in
with one loss and still have aspirations to play Ohio State in the National
Championship. The Irish are 4-0 away from South Bend while USC is undefeated in
the Coliseum.
If USC wins out most think they will jump Michigan in the BCS standings and wind
up in Glendale in January. If Notre Dame wins, let’s just say the controversy
gets even more confusing. Notre Dame would further enhance its chances, however
its home blowout loss to Michigan makes you think they would not jump the
Wolverines if both end the season with similar records.
Brady Quinn comes in on fire and has thrown for 32 touchdown passes this year,
albeit against lesser competition. Quinn is likely second behind Ohio State
quarterback Troy Smith in the Heisman race, but a very strong performance
coupled with a victory over the Trojans might make the voters think twice.
No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 USC 11/25 8 pm (ABC)
Line: USC -7.5
Total: 56.5
Both teams come in with similar offensive numbers. The Irish and the Trojans
each are averaging over 30 points a game, but it is the USC defense that stands
out as the better unit. USC is only allowing 14 points a contest while Notre
Dame is giving up nearly a touchdown more.
The Trojans have won the past four meetings and over the ten the Irish have
posted a 3-7 mark ATS. USC has covered three of those four victories.
Notre Dame has fair well on the road the past couple off seasons under Charlie
Weiss. The Irish are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 away from home. But for USC, they
have covered 22 of its last 30 home games as well as seven of the last ten
against independents.
Notre Dame has split in the totals department in 2006. They have posted a 5-5
mark over/under, while USC has gone over the posted total only three times this
season.
The Fighting Irish are 4-1 ATS in their last five as a road underdog but are
just 1-4 against the number following a SU win.
USC is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0 points.
Notre Dame has gone under the posted total four of the last five games against
Pac-10 teams while both the favorite and home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five
meetings.