Notre Dame’s Defensive Focus Squarely On USC QB Cody Kessler
By Nick Wilder
@NickCWilder
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
One of the premier rivalries in college football will be renewed this Saturday when Notre Dame (7-4) heads west to take on USC (7-4). The Fighting Irish come into this intriguing matchup having lost their last three games, while USC lost to another one of their significant rivals last week, UCLA.
The main component of USC’s team that the Fighting Irish have likely been preparing for this week is the sensational quarterback for the Trojans, Cody Kessler. The junior signal-caller’s play has been the highlight of USC’s season through 11 games, and even though the college football world knew he possessed significant talent, he’s definitely exceeded expectations this year.
Kessler has thrown for 30 touchdowns, 3,133 yards and only four interceptions, while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. In comparison to other college quarterbacks around the nation, he ranks fifth in passer efficiency, sixth in touchdown passes and 12th in passing yards this season.
Although Kessler is coming off one of his worst outings of the season last week against No. 8 UCLA, Notre Dame’s defense will have their hands full trying to defend USC’s passing attack. The Fighting Irish defense has been inconsistent throughout the season, largely due to injuries continuing to mount on that side of the ball.
Notre Dame ranks 113th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (298.2) and 117th in passing touchdowns allowed this season (29). It’s reasonable to expect that this game will be won by the team that gets the upper hand in the specific matchup between USC’s passing offense and the Fighting Irish’s passing defense.
Brian Kelly will need his secondary to play perhaps their best game of the season if Notre Dame wants to end their regular season with a solid win against the rival Trojans.
Nick Wilder is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google.
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