Weekend Wrap-up: Irish StaND #1

First Alabama, then Kansas State--and Oregon?

It appears that every team should be placed on upset-alert each week; because, it's College football and every team comes to play against top ranked teams. First, USC was on top earlier in the season, Arizona and Stanford made a statement and knocked down the Trojans, this weekend Baylor rose to the occasion against the unbeaten Wildcats and flipped KSU's title hope upside down, and shortly after Oregon was shocked by a solid Stanford team in an overtime loss to the Cardinal. When a team is ranked number one, the target on their back is gigantic. Now that target is placed on the back of the Domer's in South Bend. Though there was excitement after a 38-0 shutout against Wake Forest, Brian Kelly and company seemed to know the importance in the task ahead. Players and Kelly stressed the importance of the USC game this weekend and how focused the Irish need to be.

There is no special formula for the ending of the Notre Dame season, one game stands between them and the National Championship game. Not just a game, a bitter rivalry. On the line this Saturday is: The Jeweled Shillelagh, recruiting, Notre Dame's championship hope, a last hurray for USC, Heisman hopes, an undefeated season, and bragging rights. On a side note, this will be the prime-time game and College Gameday will be in L.A. for arguably the best rivalry in college sports. The Trojans will be playing without Matt Barkley. USC will look for freshman Max Witteck to lead the Trojans against that stellar Notre Dame defense. He and the Trojans will prepare for Manti and the Irish to travel to Southern Cal for the Saturday night showdown. Both teams know what is at stake, it should be an exciting matchup.

Stay in touch with Notre Dame Nation all week as we will cover every aspect of this rivalry game! From now until Saturday will be daily posts and updates!

GO IRISH--BEAT TROJAN