Brian Kelly, like a lot of college football coaches, allows his players 24 hours to either savor a victory or lament a loss. Last week's 27-3 victory over Army, while big in that it made the Irish bowl eligible, was a little different in terms of the 24-hour rule.
"In the locker room after the win,"
Kelly said Tuesday at his weekly press conference, "our guys were already talking about USC."
The 6-5 Irish travel to face 7-4 USC Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Irish already are bowl eligible but can bolster their standing with a win over their rival.
Week in and week out, Kelly said, his team is faced with a different rivalry game.
"I can tell you from my perspective, this is a rivalry week,"
Kelly said. "This is a huge game. It's a rivalry game."
USC has won eight straight in the series and 11 of the last 14, and Kelly said there's one way to make it an even greater rivalry.
"And that's winning the football game,"
Kelly said. "It's not much of a rivalry until you get some balance in it."
Because of NCAA infractions, USC is not bowl eligible. But the Trojans are still talented.
"I believe it'll be the best front four we'll face all year,"
Kelly said.
USC quarterback Matt Barkley injured his ankle last Saturday, and if he can't play, one-time Notre Dame recruiting target Mitch Mustain will likely start.
Kelly said Irish wide receiver Theo Riddick, who has been out since the Western Michigan game with a hamstring injury, will practice this week. Kelly said that Riddick looked good in pregame warmups last Saturday but stifffened up during the game. The key, Kelly said, is how Riddick responds Wednesday after practicing today. Freshman receiver TJ Jones, who too has been slowed by an injury, also is practicing.
"They'll get more work as they get more comfortable,"
Kelly said.
Nose tackle Ian Williams, out since the Navy game with a knee injury, is not expected to play, Kelly said.
Kickoff is set for 8:12 p.m. (Eastern) and the game will air on ABC-TV.
