SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Even when Notre Dame dreams of the Playoff and USC bumbles its way toward another coaching change, the talent differential between the two rosters is negligible at best and tilted toward the Trojans at worst. The now-No. 8 Irish (5-1) do not individually have the speed, skill or strength to outright beat USC (3-3), but Saturday night Notre Dame did have the scheme, the patience and the leg strength to find a 30-27 victory.
That defensive scheme focused on limiting the Trojans’ scoring chances, not boldly trying to eliminate them outright. The latter simply was not a realistic goal, while the former meant the Irish could nurse a lead once one was in hand, as one very much was by halftime.