THE usc vs. NOTRE DAME thread!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Alright guys its the annual meeting between usc v. NOTRE DAME.
This is unarguably The biggest game of the season (yes even bigger than the natl champ game), with national championship implication for both teams.

I can feel the emotions and electricity from this game, it seems so intense for me right now. Notre Dame is gonna win this one. Remember Strange things happen at Notre Dame. :D

[Raiders Army]

As much as people are hyping it, I don't think Notre Dame has a chance. Their defense is too suspect. USC in a blowout.

[pennywisesb]

There's no way Notre Dame can stop both USC's rushing and passing. If they manage to shut one down, the other will have a field day IMHO.

[bhlloy]

I'm pretty positive on this one. I don't think ND matches up well with USC, although I do have alot of time for Weis as a coach. 44-31 USC with over a hundred yards for Bush and White again.

[KWhit]

This is unarguably The biggest game of the season (yes even bigger than the natl champ game), with national championship implication for both teams.
Huh? Unarguably?

Are you high?


:confused:

[Noop]

I think this game will be close as Weis will just out coach USC's defense but I am sure USC will pull away in the forth.

[dawgfan]

Alright guys its the annual meeting between usc v. NOTRE DAME.
This is unarguably The biggest game of the season (yes even bigger than the natl champ game), with national championship implication for both teams.

National Championship implications for USC, yes, but highly unlikely for Notre Dame. Too many other undefeateds currently, and while Notre Dame is good, they're not that good. If Stanback and the UW WR's were able to consistently beat the Irish secondary, Leinart and crew will go to town on them, especially considering Notre Dame will probably have to cheat up one or both safeties to deal with the Trojans dominant running game.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

They'll win over USC. Strange things happen at ND. This time tomorrow I'll be laughing how USC got punched in the mouth and exposed as a mediocre PAC 10 team. :D

[Johnny93g]

GO NOTRE DAME!!!

Prediction: ND 55, USC 50

[Galaril]

Go Irish! Wake the Ghosts Of the Four Horsemen.

[st.cronin]

I think Notre Dame has at least a 1/3 chance to win this game. USC's defense has looked soft at times, and Weiss is a heck of a gameplanner.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Seriously, this has national championship implications for both teams.

[sovereignstar]

The Irish begin a 3-game losing streak tomorrow.

[RendeR]

I'm not fan of either team in this one, but ND is not in the same league as USC. Weiss might keep the game close for the first half, but when the whistle blows in the end its gonna look disgusting.

USC by 20 perhaps more.

[st.cronin]

I'm not fan of either team in this one, but ND is not in the same league as USC. Weiss might keep the game close for the first half, but when the whistle blows in the end its gonna look disgusting.

USC by 20 perhaps more.

I'm not sure why you would say that. USC smoked Hawaii; Michigan State smoked Hawaii; Michigan State at Notre Dame went to OT. I think USC is better than the Irish, but I don't expect a blowout.

[MrBug708]

They'll win over USC. Strange things happen at ND. This time tomorrow I'll be laughing how USC got punched in the mouth and exposed as a mediocre PAC 10 team. :D

If they are mediocre, what does that say about the rest of the country?

I'd be shocked if Notre Dame doesnt score on the first drive, but this will be the first game this year that SC doesnt have a better foe coming up.

[RendeR]

I'm not sure why you would say that. USC smoked Hawaii; Michigan State smoked Hawaii; Michigan State at Notre Dame went to OT. I think USC is better than the Irish, but I don't expect a blowout.


No offense to Michigan State Alumns, but that team is not very talented. They have some movers and shakers on offense, but their defense is god-awful and their special teams are truly "spe-eh-cial". Notre Dame having to go OT with them tells me two things:

Their Offense may be solid and could score some points against a weak defense

Their Defense sucks ass and is gong to get torched.

USC does NOT have a weak offense at all and no matter how well Weiss does gameplanning against a sometimes soft USC defense, he simply won't be able to compensate for his defenses inability to stop a passing game.

[PackerFanatic]

I can't really say who will win it, I just think it is going to be a very good game. USC is good, no question about that. But ND has shown me recently that they can play with the best of them. This one should go down to the wire and make for one helluva afternoon.

[Schmidty]

Seriously, this has national championship implications for both teams.

So.....does this mean I shouldn't give up my National Tiltle hopes for MSU? I did (and still will if they beat OSU), but after hearing you, I am confused.

[Galaril]

I think alot of USC "Fans" are going to be surprised at this one.

[Ajaxab]

I would really like to see USC's streak come to an end, but I just don't know if I want to hear the media love affair with the Irish if they do beat the Trojans. As if the exclusive tv contract with a national network wasn't enough...

[DanGarion]

Notre Dame has yet to beat a winning team all season and this will continue today!

[Raiders Army]

Maybe in another year or two this will have more meaning. The scary thing is that Charlie Weis hasn't fully implemented his system, so in a year or two the offense will be even better. Now the defense...

[duckman]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD noWrap>Oct. 14, 2005
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports </TD><TD width=10> </TD><TD align=right><SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--//var dclkFeaturesponsor='http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/sponsorships.spln.com/fs/stories/'+vTag+';'+vTarget+';'+uID+';sz=234x42;tile=5;ord='+random+'?';if (switchDclk != 'off') { if (location.search.substring(1).indexOf('DCLK')>-1) document.write('<input type="text" value="'+dclkFeaturesponsor+'" style="width:">
'); document.write('<script src="'+dclkFeaturesponsor+'"><\/script>'); }// --></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/sponsorships.spln.com/fs/stories/collegefootball;arena=collegefootball;feat=stories;type=psa;user=Anonymous;seg=nonaol;ctype=lan;lang=en-us;lang=en-us;vpmp=yes;adv=a;cust=no;vip=no;u=Q0Acbgq0DLEAAE80yF4;sz=234x42;tile=5;ord=9844804838051496?"></SCRIPT>http://m2.2mdn.net/dot.gif<NOSCRIPT>http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/sponsorships.spln.com/fs/stories/collegefootball;arena=collegefootball;feat=stories;type=psa;user=Anonymous;cust=no;vip=no;sz=234x42;tile=5;ord=164901129397508? (http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/sponsorships.spln.com/fs/stories/collegefootball;arena=collegefootball;feat=stories;type=psa;user=Anonymous;cust=no;vip=no;sz=234x42;tile=5;ord=164901129397508?)</NOSCRIPT> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=10> </TD><TD>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>
</TD></TR><TR><TD style="BORDER-LEFT: #cccccc 1px solid" width=5> </TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- T8965568 --><!-- Sesame Modified: 10/14/2005 23:03:00 --><!-- sversion: 2 $Updated: mattr$ -->SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame (http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/teams/page/ND) coach Charlie Weis challenged Irish fans to raise the volume Saturday against top-ranked Southern California -- and gave them some cheering tips, too.

"Deal with it how you want," Weis told the crowd at Notre Dame Stadium during a pep rally Friday night. "So tomorrow you can be the crowd that sits on their hands and say, 'Yay!', or 'Boo!' Or, you can make a lot of noise."

The crowd erupted.

"Don't be phonies. Don't just do it when you're prompted," he said.

He coached them a bit as well, urging them to make noise when the Trojans have the ball and to be quiet when the Irish are on offense.

Weis said if the Irish offense, defense and special teams play well and the crowd is enthusiastic enough, something special could happen Saturday when the ninth-ranked Irish (4-1) face the Trojans (5-0).

"It will give us a chance at one of the best, greatest moments in Notre Dame history," he said.

The pep rally, which usually is staged at the Joyce Center, was held at the stadium for just the third time. Weis said he decided to move it after hearing that several thousand fans were turned away from the rally before the Michigan State game because the 11,418-seat arena was filled to capacity.

The other two times the rally was held at the stadium were in the 1997 season-opener against Georgia Tech, after the stadium was expanded, and before the Irish faced No. 1 Nebraska in 2000. The Irish best Georgia Tech 17-13 and lost in overtime to Nebraska, 27-24.

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, on whose life the movie "Rudy" is based, emceed the event. The speakers were former Notre Dame players Joe Montana, who guided the Irish to a win over USC in the famed Green Jersey game, 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown, and Chris Zorich, a nose tackle for the Irish from 1988-90.

Zorich told the crowd that the Irish players have sacrificed a lot to play football and told the fans they owed it to the players to be energetic on Saturday.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Wow those green jerseys have been revamped. Wake up the echoes baby!!!!

[Galaxy]

Wow those green jerseys have been revamped. Wake up the echoes baby!!!!

They aren't pretty to me. The numbers just look too big or something.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Anyone see Ron Powlus in the crowd yet?

[cthomer5000]

Anyone see Ron Powlus in the crowd yet?
Yeah, he was holding all his Heisman trophies and sitting next to Bill Walsh. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[KevinNU7]

Unbelievable

[KevinNU7]

my sister throws better then that

[cthomer5000]

His arm was hit as it was released.

[KevinNU7]

Upon review it got tipped, OK not as bad then

[KevinNU7]

BLAH

[ISiddiqui]

TOUCHDOWN!! BUSH!

[ISiddiqui]

Is the announcer on crack? Bush is the 1st Amendment because he expresses himself... WTF?

[vtbub]

First Amendment w/hips?

[Noop]

And the track meet begins with a Bush TD

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Thats right TD ND!!!!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Reggie who?

[Flasch186]

how can you not like Charlie Weis...im not even an ND fan and Im rootin' for the guy.

[KevinNU7]

CS, there's no one here to talk smack against so why even do it? You just look like a drunkin retard

[ISiddiqui]

Jeez... Leinhart is even making big plays to the Tight End!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

CS, there's no one here to talk smack against so why even do it? You just look like a drunkin retard
:rolleyes: Called emotions buddy and team spirit.

[ISiddiqui]

Druken retards have emotions too :D

[MrBug708]

Jeez... Leinhart is even making big plays to the Tight End!

No surprise....

http://www.iekwk.com/images/Leinarthug.jpg

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Great catch by THE SHARK.

[KevinNU7]

Reggie who?

[RebelMan]

If Reggie Bush is the first amendment with hips, then the Notre Dame defense must be the current U.S Supreme Court.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! Those ghost of the past have been awakened!!!

[VPI97]

Go, annoying team from the midwest, go!

[KevinNU7]

That replay looked really bad

[Karlifornia]

TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! Those ghost of the past have been awakened!!!


Are you gonna have a new tag-line with every good play Notre Dame makes?

After a holding penalty on USC: If they don't play with their heads, the Irish are gonna take it to tha house!!! OH YEAHHH!!!

After a Notre Dame TD: RETURN TO GLORY!! OH YES!!

After a USC INT: THIS AIN'T YO GRANDMA'S IRISH!!!

After a Notre Dame 3 yard run: 3 yards closer to CHANGING TITLE IMPLICATIONS!!

[KevinNU7]

Are you gonna have a new tag-line with every good play Notre Dame makes?

After a holding penalty on USC: If they don't play with their heads, the Irish are gonna take it to tha house!!! OH YEAHHH!!!

After a Notre Dame TD: RETURN TO GLORY!! OH YES!!

After a USC INT: THIS AIN'T YO GRANDMA'S IRISH!!!

After a Notre Dame 3 yard run: 3 yards closer to CHANGING TITLE IMPLICATIONS!!
apparently it's called spirit

[MrBug708]

Two thoughts.

Notre Dame obviously let the grass grow a bit long to slow Bush/White

Desmond Reed looks done for the year. It looks like his knee was blown out. I ran track in HS with him so I actually like him as a Trojan

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Intercepted bably! lets get another td.

[KevinNU7]

Yeah Bably!

[VPI97]

The ghost of Rocket Ismail helped that guy score on the punt return. I'm sure of it.

[Galaril]

Two thoughts.

Notre Dame obviously let the grass grow a bit long to slow Bush/White



You have got to be fucking kidding. You sound like one of us Red Sox fans.LOL. :rolleyes:

[Raiders Army]

You can tell Charlie Weis is scared.

[SackAttack]

So let me get this straight. Notre Dame players can grab guys off the pile and toss them aside, that's fine, but USC gets hit with the personal foul?

Something ain't right there.

[Raiders Army]

The announcers suck too.

[VPI97]

Jesus.

[MrBug708]

You have got to be fucking kidding. You sound like one of us Red Sox fans.LOL. :rolleyes:

Then ND needs to fire their groundskeeper as the grass looks like it hasn't been taken care of for about a week

[VPI97]

dola -

I thought the Notre Dame receiver's head came off after that hit.

[bronconick]

The announcers suck too.
*After a Notre Dame first down at their own 30.*

"Notre Dame has a couple of timeouts and a good field goal kicker."

I glance at the television. Time remaining in 2nd quarter

5 minutes, 38 seconds

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/confused.gif

[Chief Rum]

You have got to be fucking kidding. You sound like one of us Red Sox fans.LOL. :rolleyes:

Galaril, you realize MrBug is a UCLA fan and absolutely hates USC, right?

[Raiders Army]

I'm not sure if anyone caught the end of the show before the game, but the announcer for the Motocross competition advertised this game as "THE MOST STORIED RIVALRY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY!"

I think not.

[miami_fan]

Galaril, you realize MrBug is a UCLA fan and absolutely hates USC, right?

That is what I thought

[MrBug708]

Galaril, you realize MrBug is a UCLA fan and absolutely hates USC, right?

That's besides the point... :D

[MrBug708]

Im not the only one apparently...

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showpost.php?p=930884&postcount=123

[Chief Rum]

That's besides the point... :D

Actually, that's exactly the point of how odd his statement comes out, considering he basically called you a rabid USC fan. :)

[bronconick]

Notre Dame did the long grass thing back in 1993 for the Florida State game, too.

Edit: It's been mentioned a dozen times on the broadcast, too. If they can notice, I figured it was obvious.

[Noop]

Im not the only one apparently...

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showpost.php?p=930884&postcount=123 (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showpost.php?p=930884&postcount=123)
I don't get what your trying to say...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Notre Dame did the long grass thing back in 1993 for the Florida State game, too.

Edit: It's been mentioned a dozen times on the broadcast, too. If they can notice, I figured it was obvious.
What's the issue with the long grass? They're the home team. It's part of the home field advantage. It's like the grass is shorter when ND has the ball.

[Icy]

Just got back to home to watch it, at least will watch the second half.

Btw, i must be the only Spanish watching usa football today as right now it's being played in TV also one of the max rivalry soccer games of the year, Real Madrid vs Atletico de Madrid (the two big teams from the same city).

[cthomer5000]

Gotta imagine that Virginia Tech and Texas are Notre Dame's biggest fans right now...

[st.cronin]

Very exciting game so far.

[Johnny93g]

Very exciting game so far.

also very long!!!!!......i guess ill have to choose...start of the leafs/habs, or end of ND/USC :confused:

[MrBug708]

What's the issue with the long grass? They're the home team. It's part of the home field advantage. It's like the grass is shorter when ND has the ball.

Nothing. I just commented that the grass looks longer then usually and someone got pissy and called me a Red Sox fan. I then commented that I wasnt the only one to think that.

Leinart has a below average arm.

[st.cronin]

Wow. This is really turning into quite the epic battle.

[Raiders Army]

What's the issue with the long grass? They're the home team. It's part of the home field advantage. It's like the grass is shorter when ND has the ball.
I think the issue might be the fact that it negates the speed advantage USC has. Just like the Mutara Nebula can give the Reliant and Enterprise an even playing field.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Now we come to the final quarter of play. with the Irish banging on the gates of troy.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Gotta imagine that Virginia Tech and Texas are Notre Dame's biggest fans right now...
I beg to differ. ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I think the issue might be the fact that it negates the speed advantage USC has. Just like the Mutara Nebula can give the Reliant and Enterprise an even playing field.
Excellent metaphor! Unlike the Mutara Nebula, however, South Bend is ND's home field. That's just good, old school home field advantage for you.

[cthomer5000]

Notre Dame blows a "golden" opportunity there.

[st.cronin]

Man, Leinart has looked like crap today.

[Easy Mac]

How does ND let Reggie Bush get 20 some odd yards on an end around (and if I hear 1 more announcer call that play a reverse, I'll go crazy... when did they reverse field?)

[st.cronin]

How does ND let Reggie Bush get 20 some odd yards on an end around (and if I hear 1 more announcer call that play a reverse, I'll go crazy... when did they reverse field?)

USC has been faking that play all day. I figured if they ever did run it, it would go for big yardage.

[Noop]

Bush is the man.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Woot

[st.cronin]

hehehehe Weiss has the Trojans right where he wants em.

[cthomer5000]

Notre Dame screwed themselved by not getting even a FG out of that last drive. Now they have to score a TD, and they may not get more than one posession.

[dubb93]

TD Irish, but they left alot of time...

[cthomer5000]

woot! 31-28 Notre Dame, 2.04 to go (tons of time).

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

A chess match it is, afraid of the missed fg I am.

[cthomer5000]

BTW, I think Quinn was probably down before that ball got in the endzone... but USC chose not to have instant replay today.

[Easy Mac]

Hmmm, if Carroll had allowed replay for the game, that TD may have been reversed. Even so, that stretch will be Quinn's Heisman poster if ND wins.

[dubb93]

A chess match it is, afraid of the missed fg I am.

If this is a chess match then Charlie Weis must be the greatest player ever.

Looking @ the two rosters it appears that Notre Dame is a standard set, while USC has a spare king incase theirs gets taken and about 5 queens.

[VPI97]

http://www.fof-ihof.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_crossfingers.gif

[cthomer5000]

http://www.fof-ihof.com/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_crossfingers.gif
see! told you about the Virginia Tech fans! http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

3rd and 20!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Woot 4th and 12!!! Come on D.

[cthomer5000]

No timeouts left for USC. If they don't get this, it's over.

[miami_fan]

Nice week for the BCS poll to come out!

[dubb93]

No more timeouts for USC, just noticed that. Starting to look really grim.

[Easy Mac]

will we have a new champion this year?

[GrantDawg]

No pressure here, golden boy.

[dubb93]

beat me to it cthomer

[cthomer5000]

ugh.

[dubb93]

damnit

[Easy Mac]

HOLY SHIT@!!!!!!!!!

[ThunderingHERD]

Wow.

[VPI97]

Motherfucking Notre Dame

[GrantDawg]

Good God. I think USC had more than 9 lives.

[Galaxy]

I just crapped my pants!

[RebelMan]

Not over, yet.

[Galaxy]

GO Trojans

[Easy Mac]

Leinart audible = heisman? No turnovers now for SC

[Recoil]

C'mon USC

[dubb93]

wow

[ThunderingHERD]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cthomer5000]

nice game awareness, USC!

[GrantDawg]

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

[VPI97]

Edit - Motherfucking Notre Dame

[Easy Mac]

wait, whats going on, did he get out of bounds?

[dubb93]

is it over? this is a clusterfuck

[cthomer5000]

Hey USC, good choice not having instant replay!

[ThunderingHERD]

Clearly out of bounds

[Galaxy]

wait, whats going on, did he get out of bounds?

The ball did

[cthomer5000]

what the fuck is going on?

[Galaxy]

TD

[ThunderingHERD]

HAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAA

[dubb93]

fuck

[Easy Mac]

TD SC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That out of bounds fumble was a miracle.

[Galaxy]

YES!!!!

[Honolulu_Blue]

WOW!!!!

WHAT A FINISH?!!?!?

USC!!

[GrantDawg]

That is something else, man. Wow.

[ThunderingHERD]

That took balls.

[cthomer5000]

I'm confused. If there is no instant replay, how does it go from game over to 7 seconds being on the clock?

[VPI97]

what the fuck is going on?The ghost of Knute Rockne just shit himself.

[cthomer5000]

These Refs got some 'splainin to do.

[miami_fan]

Fucking celebration penalties!

[Galaxy]

I'm confused. If there is no instant replay, how does it go from game over to 7 seconds being on the clock?

The ball was out of bounds....The refrees called it...Basically, Notre Dame got excited too early.

[vtbub]

Clock ran after the whistle blew.

[Masked]

I'm confused. If there is no instant replay, how does it go from game over to 7 seconds being on the clock?
Ball went out of bounds and the clock should have been stopped. The clock was incorrectly allowed to run.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The ball was out of bounds....The refrees called it...Basically, Notre Dame got excited too early.
Exactly. There was just too much confusion going on. The clock ran down despite what the refs were calling.

[cthomer5000]

Ok. Then either the refs or the announcers just did a terrible job relaying the information there.

[VPI97]

I'm going to throw up.

[GrantDawg]

I think they clearing out all the razors in the ND locker room.

[ThunderingHERD]

I'm confused. If there is no instant replay, how does it go from game over to 7 seconds being on the clock?

The ball was clearly out of bounds. I'm sure the officials called it. Dumbshit running the clock was the problem.

[cthomer5000]

Probably the craziest ending I've ever seen.

[miami_fan]

Hey USC, good choice not having instant replay!
Really good choice. If they are reviewing the play, USC does not have the element of surprise with the fake spike

[JonInMiddleGA]

Heh heh heh.

[cmp]

Really good choice. If they are reviewing the play, USC does not have the element of surprise with the fake spike

What fake spike?

[illinifan999]

What fake spike?
you didn't see the coaches and Leinart all motioning to everyone like they were just going to spike it?

[dawgfan]

I have no great love for USC being a UW fan, but since I fucking hate the Irish, I'm quite happy with the result.

I'll give Weis credit - he did everything he could to even the talent differential, through his motivational tactics to his coaching. Notre Dame played this game waaaay closer than I would've figured. How the Trojans didn't light up a questionable Irish secondary I don't know (though I've suspected for a few years now that Leinart is over-rated).

[cthomer5000]

I also feel like puking. God I hate USC, and I don't even want them invoved in the national title game.

[Galaxy]

ND will somehow still go to a BCS game...

[INDalltheway]

Shouldn't the ball be spotted where it went out of bounds??? Meaning the 3 or 4 at least? I didn't agree with the way the Pac-10 officials handled that at the end..

[INDalltheway]

ND will somehow still go to a BCS game...
I'm not even a ND fan but they are one of the top teams.. How many teams have played USC like that recently? Not many.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Im gonna hang myself now. Gosh darn missed opportunity. I new Ashap was gonna be a problem. a costly fumble vs. MSU and that missed pass to him late in the fourth ugh....

[cthomer5000]

Shouldn't the ball be spotted where it went out of bounds??? Meaning the 3 or 4 at least? I didn't agree with the way the Pac-10 officials handled that at the end..
The announcers could not have possibly done a worse job filling us in on what was going on. I would like to see the last few plays again, because I'm still confused about should have happened vs. what actually did.

[digamma]

What a game.

I think ND got screwed a bit on the spot of the ball. Should have been at the two or so, which probably takes away the sneak.

Major balls by USC to run the ball 3 times (four counting the scramble) with under a minute and a half and no time outs.

[Buccaneer]

I also feel like puking. God I hate USC, and I don't even want them invoved in the national title game.
fucking east coast bias

[KevinNU7]

Shouldn't the ball be spotted where it went out of bounds??? Meaning the 3 or 4 at least? I didn't agree with the way the Pac-10 officials handled that at the end..
THANK YOU!

I thought I was the only one who noticed this!

[cmp]

That didn't fool anyone, a spike would have made no sense right there.

[VPI97]

I'm not even a ND fan but they are one of the top teams.. How many teams have played USC like that recently? Not many.Well, that's cause USC doesn't play anybody.

It kills me that VT could potential end the year undefeated with three top 10 wins, but USC will get to the BCS game by playing their soft schedule.

[cthomer5000]

fucking east coast bias
How 'bout those Orangemen! Oh wait, no you're the Orange these days. http://dynamic.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[INDalltheway]

That didn't fool anyone, a spike would have made no sense right there.
How not? They would have brought the FG team out and tied the game and went into OT...

[Raiders Army]

That was really, really weird.

[HerRealName]

How not? They would have brought the FG team out and tied the game and went into OT...

The clock was already stopped. They didn't need to spike the ball to stop it unless they wanted to take a second or so off the clock.

[KevinNU7]

That didn't fool anyone, a spike would have made no sense right there.
you are right. Since the ball went out of bounds the clock wasn't going to run on the reset so if USC was going to kick a field goal they would have just done that instead of lining up the offense.

IMO Charlie should have called the timeout to make the officals and USC think everything over.

[digamma]

The clock was already stopped. They didn't need to spike the ball to stop it unless they wanted to take a second or so off the clock.
If the ruling on the field was according to Jim's explanation in the other thread, then the clock correctly started on the ball being placed in play. Therefore they had to spike it or run a play.

[Galaxy]

I'm not even a ND fan but they are one of the top teams.. How many teams have played USC like that recently? Not many.

Eh....This is loss number two...and the "top teams" they have played, outside of Michigan State and USC, have fallen apart.

[INDalltheway]

The clock was already stopped. They didn't need to spike the ball to stop it unless they wanted to take a second or so off the clock.
Very true, the whole sequence was confusing.. I mean it looked like all the players and coaches thought that the clock was going to start when the ref blew the whistle.. which i think it did, because USC snapped the ball barely a second after the whistle.. So the spike would have been an expected play.. It was all just confusing, and not handled very well.

[Galaxy]

Charlie should have called a TO...At least let the confusion get fixed, and take away the suprise element of USC.

[KevinNU7]

Notre Dame was up 4 at the time.
no they weren't

[cthomer5000]

Two questions:

1) When does the first BCS ranking come out?
2) Does anyone know of a site that lists projected BCS rankings before that poll starts coming out?

[INDalltheway]

HAH... gold deleted his post cause he looked really dumb.. :D

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

I was surprised ND didnt use their 3 to's left. I was secretly hoping they lett USC score and let Brady and the gang back in.

[digamma]

Two questions:

1) When does the first BCS ranking come out?
2) Does anyone know of a site that lists projected BCS rankings before that poll starts coming out?
1) Monday
2) www.collegebcs.com (http://www.collegebcs.com)

[cthomer5000]

1) Monday
2) www.collegebcs.com (http://www.collegebcs.com)
much thanks!

[wbatl1]

Holy Cow. What a game.

[molson]

Two questions:

2) Does anyone know of a site that lists projected BCS rankings before that poll starts coming out?

Collegebcs.com is a great site that breaks this kind of stuff down - same guy that does collegerpi.com. Costs money though.

[cthomer5000]

ok, question 3.

Does anyone know of a free site that lists the projected BCS rankings before that poll starts coming out?

[Icy]

Awesome end of a game, also i have really enjoyed seing Bush running.

[dawgfan]

Well, that's cause USC doesn't play anybody.

:rolleyes:

They roll the 2 soft non-conference teams they play, they beat Notre Dame, they still have a decent Fresno State team to play, they rolled a very good Oregon team, beat a good Arizona State team and still have tough games against Cal and UCLA coming up.

Oh wait, you're one of those people that doesn't think the Pac-10 is any good despite all evidence to the contrary.

It kills me that VT could potential end the year undefeated with three top 10 wins, but USC will get to the BCS game by playing their soft schedule.

Three top-10 wins? They have no wins against top-10 teams currently and only 2 ranked teams left on the schedule.

And the idea that VT's schedule is any tougher than USC's is laughable at best.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And the idea that VT's schedule is any tougher than USC's is laughable at best.

Me & you don't agree very often, and I'm an ACC guy ... but when you're right, you're right.

VT's schedule is, at best, arguably equal to USC (and even that might be stretching it IMO).

[st.cronin]

USC and Texas get credit for scheduling tough games (tOSU, ND). VaTech, in my mind, doesn't.

[digamma]

ok, question 3.

Does anyone know of a free site that lists the projected BCS rankings before that poll starts coming out?
There is a free section to collegebcs.com. He just may not release it as early as he releases the info on the pay site. I haven't been a member since the 2003 season, because the BCS has been easier to figure the last couple of seasons.

[dawgfan]

Me & you don't agree very often, and I'm an ACC guy ... but when you're right, you're right.

VT's schedule is, at best, arguably equal to USC (and even that might be stretching it IMO).

Wow, so that was the great disturbance in the force I just felt... :)

[MalcPow]

Shouldn't the ball be spotted where it went out of bounds??? Meaning the 3 or 4 at least? I didn't agree with the way the Pac-10 officials handled that at the end..

As much as I wish this were true, I didn't see it that way. The ball couldn't have been spotted much further back than the one. It essentially went straight out of bounds at the goaline. Crazy game, this and MSU were both freaking crushing. :(

[JW]

I think USC got two gift spots at the end. I thought Bush got an extra yard on the spot on his last run and thought USC got maybe a yard on the spot on the fumble out of bounds. However, the replays were so bad it is hard to tell imho. That would have eliminated the sneak but I think USC would likely have scored anyway.

Neverthless a great win by the best team in America (though not an unbeatable team).

If the DB turns to the ball a half second sooner on the long pass, he bats it away and ND wins.

[st.cronin]

As crazy and confusing as the ending was, I think the officials basically got everything right. Tremendous, bizarre victory for the men of troy. Inspiring game from the Notre Dame boys.

[Honolulu_Blue]

As much as I wish this were true, I didn't see it that way. The ball couldn't have been spotted much further back than the one. It essentially went straight out of bounds at the goaline. Crazy game, this and MSU were both freaking crushing. :(
Really? I found this and UM to both very exciting!

I do feel bad for the Sparties. They really had a chance to pull it out, it just all came apart there at the end.

[dawgfan]

Neverthless a great win by the best team in America (though not an unbeatable team).

Injuries have hurt an already fairly green and untested defense for USC, but the offense is so good and the remaining athletes on defense are talented enough that it might not matter.

Close call for USC, but they withstood Notre Dame's best shot.

[MalcPow]

Really? I found this and UM to both very exciting!

I do feel bad for the Sparties. They really had a chance to pull it out, it just all came apart there at the end.

Yeah I meant ND's loss to MSU was crushing. Although they lost a tough one today as well.

[cthomer5000]

Three top-10 wins? They have no wins against top-10 teams currently and only 2 ranked teams left on the schedule.

And the idea that VT's schedule is any tougher than USC's is laughable at best.
The 3rd would be the conference title game win. Obviously there are a lot of assumptions involved here, but I can see the frustration of a Va Tech fan.

Question for those in the know:
Is it bascially consensus opinion that they would be the odd-team-out in a USC/Texas/Va Tech finish?

[cthomer5000]

Oh, and though I was rooting for them today, I'm now rooting for a ND implosion. I don't want them taking a bowl bid away from the Big East. :D

[bhlloy]

Just incredible. Too much on the Trojan side of the ball to analyse right now and I'm sure others will say it better than me. Leinart and LenDale White from the stats anyway looked pretty human although what a final drive.

Consolation for ND fans... Charlie Weis is the real deal and once he gets the players he wants there I think it's safe to say you will be back as a powerhouse. Very classy coach as well.

[Galaril]

Galaril, you realize MrBug is a UCLA fan and absolutely hates USC, right?


Could of cared less.

[st.cronin]

There's a lot of football left. I'll be genuinely surprised if VaTech makes it to the bowl series without a loss. I think UGA has a better shot, but it's not unlikely that we could get to Jan 1 with NO undefeated teams.

[Easy Mac]

Last I hear, Texas would be the odd team out. With OSU losing 2x (maybe more), there's no other good wins on Texas's schedule. I think they said Texas would be below 3 or 4 teams in the 1st BCS.

[Galaril]

ND will somehow still go to a BCS game...


As they should.

[Galaxy]

As they should.

If they go 8-3, think they still should go?

[Galaril]

I don't see them going 8-3 and but if they did they shouldn't go of course. But at 9-2 and lossing to an underated MSU and the golden boys at USC by 3 on the last play you bet your ass they should.

[Galaxy]

I don't see them going 8-3 and but if they did they shouldn't go of course. But at 9-2 and lossing to an underated MSU and the golden boys at USC by 3 on the last play you bet your ass they should.

I understand...I just think that we may have a handful of 1-loss teams, and ND's schedule isn't looking as strong as it did early in the year. Just my two cents however.

[digamma]

Last I hear, Texas would be the odd team out. With OSU losing 2x (maybe more), there's no other good wins on Texas's schedule. I think they said Texas would be below 3 or 4 teams in the 1st BCS.
Texas Tech could be a pretty good win, and if A$M rights their ship, that could be another decent one.

I think Texas would have been second had the poll been released last monday. It's hard to see how beating Colorado handily would make them fall. Remember the two polls are 2/3 of the calculation now, with the computers being the other third. The only way SOS or quality wins factor in is how they affect those polls.

[ISiddiqui]

Wooot!! Hating ND makes this better ;). Even with the jungle of a field, USC showed some heart and came out ahead. What a gutsy call to sneak it at the end instead of going for the easy FG! WOW!

[Galaril]

I understand...I just think that we may have a handful of 1-loss teams, and ND's schedule isn't looking as strong as it did early in the year. Just my two cents however.


I agree and sorry for being so confrontational don't take it personally. I am still just decompressing my blod pressure after watching the game my wife isn't to happy right now with me either for the couple of F- bombs I lobbed during the game. :redface:

[kingfc22]

All I got to say is YES!!!!

F*CK Notre Dame.

[Galaxy]

I agree and sorry for being so confrontational don't take it personally. I am still just decompressing my blod pressure after watching the game my wife isn't to happy right now with me either for the couple of F- bombs I lobbed during the game. :redface:

LOL.....

[Philliesfan980]

All I got to say is YES!!!!

F*CK Notre Dame.

I hear where you're coming from, I used to hate ND as well, however that Charlie Weiss story lately has really made me revisit this team. I'm starting to like it again. It seems like its not the cocky bunch of guys that were under the Lou Holtz era.

As for USC, I do hate them. Leinert and Bush are cocky assholes in my opinion.

[VPI97]

And the idea that VT's schedule is any tougher than USC's is laughable at best.That's a pretty ignorant view. At this point int he season, their schedule strength is about even right now (according to Sagarin) and we've got Miami, BC & FSU left on the schedule. USC doesn't play anyone all year that's as good as Miami and FSU. No one even close.

Oh wait, you're one of those people that doesn't think the Pac-10 is any good despite all evidence to the contraryWhat evidence? Anyone who thinks that the PAC-10 is in the same ballpark as the ACC in terms of conference strength needs to have their head examined.

[JonInMiddleGA]

USC doesn't play anyone all year that's as good as Miami and FSU.

Would that be the FSU that's trailing UVA by 16 right now?

[sterlingice]

I don't see anyone claiming this game didn't live up to the hype :)

SI

[Galaxy]

That's a pretty ignorant view. At this point int he season, their schedule strength is about even right now (according to Sagarin) and we've got Miami, BC & FSU left on the schedule. USC doesn't play anyone all year that's as good as Miami and FSU. No one even close.

What evidence? Anyone who thinks that the PAC-10 is in the same ballpark as the ACC in terms of conference strength needs to have their head examined.

What about UCLA, Oregon, Arizona State, Notre Dame? FSU and BC seem overrated to me.

[st.cronin]

I just caught John L. Smith's halftime tirade on espn. Truly hilarious! "Kids are playing their tails off and ... and ... the coaching staff is screwing it up!!"

[ISiddiqui]

You know, I think the Notre Dame field mowers are happy now... they can earn their money after being told to stay home the last two weeks ;).

[dawgfan]

That's a pretty ignorant view. At this point int he season, their schedule strength is about even right now (according to Sagarin) and we've got Miami, BC & FSU left on the schedule. USC doesn't play anyone all year that's as good as Miami and FSU. No one even close.

Right, because the Pac-10 sucks, right? UCLA, Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon - none of them are in Miami or FSU's ballpark. Uh-huh. That's not a bias against the Pac-10 or anything on your part.

What evidence? Anyone who thinks that the PAC-10 is in the same ballpark as the ACC in terms of conference strength needs to have their head examined.

Evidence? The Pac-10 is 17-6 in their non-conference games against Div 1-A competition while the ACC is 16-7. Try pulling your biased head out of your ass and come to grips with the fact that the Pac-10 is having a very good year, as good (or better) than your precious ACC.

[Craptacular]

Anyone know if college football has the same rule as the NFL prohibiting an offensive player from "assisting" the runner? By this I mean, pushing or pulling the ballcarrier down the field, instead of blocking for them. I know this call would never be made, especially in this situation, but from the couple of quick replays I saw, Reggie Bush sure seemed to give Leinart a nice hard push on that sneak, after he was originally stuffed. I'd have to see some more replays to be certain, but my first instinct when I saw that play was that Leinart did not have the balance to be able to push towards the endzone.

[NoMyths]

Anyone know if college football has the same rule as the NFL prohibiting an offensive player from "assisting" the runner? By this I mean, pushing or pulling the ballcarrier down the field, instead of blocking for them. I know this call would never be made, especially in this situation, but from the couple of quick replays I saw, Reggie Bush sure seemed to give Leinart a nice hard push on that sneak, after he was originally stuffed. I'd have to see some more replays to be certain, but my first instinct when I saw that play was that Leinart did not have the balance to be able to push towards the endzone.Heh, Bush already said that he was shoving Leinart.

[TazFTW]

Anyone know if college football has the same rule as the NFL prohibiting an offensive player from "assisting" the runner? By this I mean, pushing or pulling the ballcarrier down the field, instead of blocking for them. I know this call would never be made, especially in this situation, but from the couple of quick replays I saw, Reggie Bush sure seemed to give Leinart a nice hard push on that sneak, after he was originally stuffed. I'd have to see some more replays to be certain, but my first instinct when I saw that play was that Leinart did not have the balance to be able to push towards the endzone.
Bob Davie was talking about this during half time of whatever game he was doing color for (I believe FSU/UVA). Holtz mentioned it also but he said it never was called. So it is a rule in college football, just never called.

[Craptacular]

Yeah, I was just reading the recap on CNN and saw this:

"Leinart had the option to spike the ball on the goal line play to regroup his team or go with what he had. He chose the latter, took it in himself over the left side and got a little help moving the pile from star tailback Reggie Bush. "I used all 200 pounds of my body to push Matt in," said Bush, who ran for 160 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns."


I'm glad to see I wasn't just making that up. By the way, I tend to tune both Bob Davie and Lou Holtz out ... I guess pretty much anyone with any history at Notre Dame for that matter. ;)

[cthomer5000]

Bob Davie was talking about this during half time of whatever game he was doing color for (I believe FSU/UVA). Holtz mentioned it also but he said it never was called. So it is a rule in college football, just never called. I was wondering about that earlier. It was about as blatant an instance of assistance as I've ever seen.

[MacroGuru]

You can push a player from behind in college football, you just lift him and push him. Drop the shoulder and work him in with your body, grab him and it's a different story.

[DanGarion]

As they should.
Why? They have yet to beat a team with a winning record.

[DanGarion]

I hear where you're coming from, I used to hate ND as well, however that Charlie Weiss story lately has really made me revisit this team. I'm starting to like it again. It seems like its not the cocky bunch of guys that were under the Lou Holtz era.

As for USC, I do hate them. Leinert and Bush are cocky assholes in my opinion.
What have you observed that makes you feel Leinart is a cocky asshole? Because he wins?

[DanGarion]

That's a pretty ignorant view. At this point int he season, their schedule strength is about even right now (according to Sagarin) and we've got Miami, BC & FSU left on the schedule. USC doesn't play anyone all year that's as good as Miami and FSU. No one even close.

What evidence? Anyone who thinks that the PAC-10 is in the same ballpark as the ACC in terms of conference strength needs to have their head examined.

Which conference has the last 2 national champs? Oh it's the Pac 10. Yeah, they suck...
:rolleyes:

[Chief Rum]

Could of cared less.

Right. Why take into consideration a piece of information that completely invalidates your thoughtless statement and makes you look like an ignorant fool?

[mckerney]

Which conference has the last 2 national champs? Oh it's the Pac 10. Yeah, they suck...
:rolleyes:

Which has nothing to do with conference strength. And isn't the reason it's only 1 BCS for the Pac 10 over the mentioned time period more or less because of conference strength?

[SnowMan]

Right. Why take into consideration a piece of information that completely invalidates your thoughtless statement and makes you look like an ignorant fool?Actually, by saying he "Could of (sic) cared less" he's saying he cares a LOT and could have cared less.

[NoMyths]

Which conference has the last 2 national champs? Oh it's the Pac 10. Yeah, they suck...
:rolleyes:I didn't realize that LSU was in the Pac-10.

[RendeR]

Just a note to all those folks using Miami and FSU as some sort of guide to how difficult the other conference is, MIAMI and FSU suck ass this season. They play horrible mistake laiden football and will be hard pressed to get anything better than the "I told you you sucked" bowl at the end of this year.

Notre Dame has not proven they can beat a top flight program this season and in no way should be considered for a BCS bowl.

[Cuckoo]

What have you observed that makes you feel Leinart is a cocky asshole? Because he wins?

I too think he's cocky, and it has little do with winning. It's his demeanor that rubs me the wrong way. I don't have the specific quotes, but some of the things he has said in the past and things like his notorious "F the BCS" shirt a couple years back have all contributed to my feelings on that.

On that other hand, I don't really have that feeling about Bush. But maybe I just haven't heard enough from him.

[miami_fan]

I too think he's cocky, and it has little do with winning. It's his demeanor that rubs me the wrong way. I don't have the specific quotes, but some of the things he has said in the past and things like his notorious "F the BCS" shirt a couple years back have all contributed to my feelings on that.

On that other hand, I don't really have that feeling about Bush. But maybe I just haven't heard enough from him.

I don't get the same feeling for either one of them but being a Hurricane fan of 20+ years I have a very HIGH standard for cocky players! :p

[Cuckoo]

I don't get the same feeling for either one of them but being a Hurricane fan of 20+ years I have a very HIGH standard for cocky players! :p

Hey, I grew up watching Brian Bosworth. :D

But I call them as I see them, and Bosworth was one of the cockiest players I've seen. Leinart's arrogance isn't near so brazen most of the time from what I've seen - he just has a certain smugness about him that USC fans probably just call confidence and some on the outside might call cockiness.

[RendeR]

Smug != Cocky

;)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Although some of you people are weird, I wish I had watched this game now.

[RendeR]

I will admit that my prediction was wrong. I am impressed that ND kept the game close and forced USC to win it on the final play. I still do not believe they deserve a BCS game, they've lost twice and one was to a fairly bad football team.

[Galaxy]

I didn't realize that LSU was in the Pac-10.
USC won a spilt national championship. A discussion held many times before, LSU won the BCS title, and USC won the AP title. The NCAA does not recognize a champion.

[Pumpy Tudors]

USC won a spilt national championship. A discussion held many times before, LSU won the BCS title, and USC won the AP title. The NCAA does not recognize a champion.
TCU won the "Pumpy Tudors is nuts" title that year, so they also have one. :)

[Galaxy]

I will admit that my prediction was wrong. I am impressed that ND kept the game close and forced USC to win it on the final play. I still do not believe they deserve a BCS game, they've lost twice and one was to a fairly bad football team.

I agree, expect I think MSU is a better team then people give credit for (of course, I may be bias :D ).

[cthomer5000]

USC won a spilt national championship. A discussion held many times before, LSU won the BCS title, and USC won the AP title. The NCAA does not recognize a champion.
The PAC-10 does recognize the winner of the BCS as the national champion. USC did not win that.

[NoMyths]

USC won a spilt national championship. A discussion held many times before, LSU won the BCS title, and USC won the AP title. The NCAA does not recognize a champion.The statement was that the Pac-10 has the last two national champs. And that is an incomplete statement. USC won a share of the national championship (kinda sorta...in disregard of certain agreements that had taken place, certainly). To invalidate LSU's achievement is silly.

[kingfc22]

The PAC-10 does recognize the winner of the BCS as the national champion. USC did not win that.
LSU would have got slaughtered just like OU did last season.

[cthomer5000]

LSU would have got slaughtered just like OU did last season.
We will never know.

[albionmoonlight]

LSU would have got slaughtered just like OU did last season.
Well, that settles it. I thought that there was some reasonable debate over who was the better team. Guess I was wrong. Have you sent a letter to Myles Brand to this effect? It would certainly clear up a lot of confusion.

[MrBug708]

Could of cared less.
You should have. Look what happened to Desmond Reed's knee with that shitty job on the field?

[MrBug708]

The PAC-10 does recognize the winner of the BCS as the national champion. USC did not win that.

Actually they don't. When listing National Championships in comparision with other schools, they don't recognize it to the same extent as say, UCLA's 11 Basketball titles