Usc Primed, Set To End Its Losing Ways Against Irish

The last time Southern Cal beat Notre Dame, Ronald Reagan was president, Larry Holmes was heavyweight champion and Gerry Faust was coach of the Fighting Irish.

Since that 1982 victory, the Trojans have gone 0-11-1 against the Irish, including last year’s 17-17 tie. But Southern Cal is primed to end the winless streak Saturday at South Bend.

The Trojans are 6-0 and ranked fifth in the nation. The Irish are 5-2 and ranked 17th, but they barely beat Army last week and have struggled all season.

“We just do not play consistently in any area …. and consequently we never really take control of the game,” coach Lou Holtz said.

Last week was a perfect example. The Irish blew a 21-point lead against Army and narrowly escaped with a 28-27 victory after the Cadets came up inches short on a 2-point try in the final minute.

Notre Dame must play a lot better to beat Southern Cal, which has been winning with a stingy defense and mistake-free offense. The Trojans are giving up only 9.5 points per game and have committed only three turnovers all season.

If they can avoid mistakes Saturday, the Trojans (minus 3-1/2) will finally beat the Irish …. SOUTHERN CAL 21-17.

Georgia Tech (plus 31) at No. 1 Florida St.: Seminoles averaging 66 points in ACC games …. FLORIDA ST. 66-24.

No. 8 Kansas St. (plus 24) at No. 2 Nebraska: Welcome to the big leagues, K-State …. NEBRASKA 35-17.

Purdue (plus 22) at No. 4 Ohio St.: Purdue has lost three games by total of 11 points …. OHIO ST. 31-21.

No. 7 Kansas (plus 7) at No. 15 Oklahoma: Jayhawks haven’t won at Norman since 1975 …. KANSAS 21-17.

No. 9 Colorado (minus 24) at Iowa St.: Buffs have won 11 straight over Cyclones …. COLORADO 41-21.

No. 10 Michigan (minus 15) at Indiana: Wolverines have won 20 of last 21 against Hoosiers …. MICHIGAN 34-14.

No. 24 Wisconsin (minus 1) at No. 11 Northwestern: Wildcats off to best start since 1962 …. NORTHWESTERN 24-14.

Washington St. (plus 6-1/2) at No. 12 Oregon: Ducks have won seven of last nine meetings …. OREGON 24-21.

Western Michigan (plus 35) at No. 13 Auburn: Tigers are mad after losing to Florida …. AUBURN 55-10.

No. 14 Virginia (minus 1) at No. 16 Texas: Cavs have intercepted a pass in 24 straight games …. VIRGINIA 28-24.

No. 19 Penn St. (minus 4-1/2) at No. 18 Iowa: Hawkeyes 5-0 vs. creampuff schedule …. PENN ST. 34-28.

No. 20 Washington (minus 1-1/2) at Arizona: Huskies 3-0 in Pac-10 …. WASHINGTON 17-14.

No. 21 Alabama (minus 6) at Mississippi: The Tide loses second in a row …. MISSISSIPPI 21-20.

No. 22 Texas A&M (minus 3) at Baylor: Aggies have been a huge disappointment …. BAYLOR 17-14.

UCLA (minus 2-1/2) at No. 23 Stanford: Cardinal rebound from loss to Washington …. STANFORD 28-24.

Rice (plus 16) at No. 25 Texas Tech: Red Raiders have won seven straight at home …. TEXAS TECH 35-10.

Last week: Last week: 14-3 (straight); 8-10 (spread). Season: 95-29 (straight); 64-55 (spread).