It certainly is an off year for one of college sports’ greatest intersectional rivalries. Saturday’s 79th matchup between USC (5-1, 3-1) and Notre Dame (1-6) pits a Trojan team that is sinking in the polls against a woeful Fighting Irish squad having one of its worst seasons in recent memory. Both teams have been struggling offensively (although Notre Dame’s 11.4 points/game and 190.9 yards/game numbers make USC’s problems look insignificant), and each school has a question mark at the quarterback position. The Trojans may turn to sophomore Mark Sanchez for the second consecutive week if injured senior John David Booty, as expected, needs another week for his fractured finger to heal. And Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has indicated he may call upon his third starting signal-caller of the season, with junior Evan Sharpley expected to get the nod over ineffective freshman Jimmy Clausen, after two consecutive weeks where Sharpley has come off the bench in relief.

USC has defeated the Irish in each of the past five years, including last season’s 44-24 victory at the Coliseum. The Trojans have not lost at South Bend since falling 27-16 in 2001. The last time USC played at Notre Dame Stadium, in 2005, Matt Leinart’s scoring run with three seconds remaining capped an improbable last-minute, come-from-behind touchdown drive to give the Trojans a memorable 34-31 victory. A win Saturday would give USC its first 6-game winning streak against Notre Dame, which currently leads the all-time series 42-31-5.

As of Sunday evening, USC’s official injury report stands as follows:

• PROBABLE: None.
• POSSIBLE: TB Stafon Johnson (foot), OT Sam Baker (hamstring), S Kevin Ellison (nose), OT Charles Brown (ankle), LB Rey Maualuga (hip), OG Zack Heberer (shoulder), QB John David Booty (finger), LB Brian Cushing (ankle), OG Chilo Rachal (knee), CB Shareece Wright (hamstring), C Kristofer O’Dowd (kneecap), TE Jimmy Miller (back).
• OUT: TB C.J. Gable (abdomen), WR Travon Patterson (foot), LB Chris Galippo (back), S-CB Josh Pinkard (knee), OG-C Nick Howell (hernia), TB Broderick Green (foot), CB Kevin Thomas (shoulder), OT Martin Coleman (shoulder), DE Trey Henderson (knee), WR Damian Williams (shoulder).

Out of the above “possible” players, Stafon Johnson is the most likely to play at this point (and even he is far from definite), although it would not be surprising to see Chilo Rachal rushed back into action given the Trojans’ lack of depth on the offensive line. It’s not looking so good for the other offensive linemen (especially Baker, who almost certainly is out), although more will be known by Tuesday evening.

Saturday’s nationally-televised game (on NBC) starts at 12:30 Pacific time. The Trojans are favored by 20 points, although by now most bettors should know better than to put money on USC.

More articles and stats for each team: TrojanUpdate’s Game Preview: USC-Notre Dame
Official game week press release (Official USC site)
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