LOS ANGELES -- By the time USC reached the regular-season finale against Notre Dame last year, it was already fair to classify the Trojans' season as a disaster. They finished the Pac-12 season with a losing record and were in need of a win against the undefeated Irish to avoid an overall losing record for the first time since 2000.
It didn't happen. Notre Dame erased a 10-7 halftime deficit and won 24-17 to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, leaving USC in a state of disrepair.
After the game, athletic director Lynn Swann told coach Clay Helton his job was safe and the next day confirmed as much, in a rare public statement.