I think this game is gonna be close for a few reasons. First and foremost, I was at the game last year, and Reggie Bush ran all over us. USC doesn't have a Reggie Bush this year, although Booty isn't filling Leinart's shoes too bad. I never thought Leinart was spectacular though, just had a huge amount of talent around him with above average skills. He tried running it in for a TD three times on an ND defense and couldn't get in, Brady got in on a 10 yard scamper the drive before
The second reason I think this game will be short is because this is one of our rivalries. It isn't an OSU/Michigan rivalry, but this is one of our big ones. If ND is getting close to the half with a score separating the two teams, you can bet their 2 minute is gonna kick in. This team will be fired up and looking for revenge after last year. Weis already had a game plan prepared following the Army game, having watched all of USC's previous games this year. Accoridng to Carroll following Cal this week, he hadn't seen any game film yet. He may or may not have been keeping up on the Irish yet, but Carroll is a pretty good coach and does a good job recruiting so I'm sure he'll be ready by game time.
Like I said, I'm not predicting a win here, but with almost all of the Irish from the previous big game last year coming back, and the loss of huge play makers like Bush (Almost 200 yards combined and 3 TDs)that hurt us last year, I think this is gonna be a close game even in Southern Cal.
Then you must be going all in!
I think this game could easily be within a TD like it was last year, but come game day I'll put it all up for my team for the hell of being a fan anyway:)