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Notre Dame football: Will Irish continue dominance over USC in 2021?

By Daniel Morrison

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: The USC Trojans mascot drives his sword into the field before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Berkeley, California. The USC Trojans defeated the California Golden Bears 30-20. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: The USC Trojans mascot drives his sword into the field before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Berkeley, California. The USC Trojans defeated the California Golden Bears 30-20. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Notre Dame football
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish grabs the helmet of Cameron Smith #35 of the USC Trojans as he runs after a catch during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 24, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Will Irish continue dominance over USC in 2021?

USC’s Defense

The USC defense is coached by Todd Orlando, who is now going into his second season with the program. The hire was a strange one, as he had just come off a job where he struggled as the defensive coordinator at Texas.

So, how did it work out for USC? Their 26 points allowed per game was good for 46th in the country. Meanwhile, the Trojans gave up 369.7 yards per game, which was 40th in the country.

All in all, those are fairly average numbers. There is certainly room to improve as they will get a normal offseason to work on everything. Except it’s not like the offenses they went up against didn’t also have a pandemic to deal with.

So, if they can improve on that or if that’s who they’re going to be is still up in the air. One thing that everyone does know, is that there are going to be a lot of great athletes on the USC defense.

That talent starts in the secondary, where you will see athletes making plays all season long. In particular, look out for safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, who will bring experience as he looks to put together a season to impress NFL scouts. The top two corners, Isaac Taylor-Stuart and Chris Steele are going to be two of the best in the PAC-12.

There are a few more questions in the front seven, with turnover in some key spots. Even with that though, Nick Figueroa will bring good size and experience to the edge. On the other side, Drake Jackson can play a hybrid role for the front and will give teams trouble through his pure athletic ability, but defensive tackle, though, there is almost no experience.

The linebackers themselves have experience, but no one stands out as a player to be feared. In particular, their linebackers are weak on the outside.

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