COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : USC : Smith: Best Irish Team in Six Years

Coach Larry Smith said this is the best Notre Dame team he has faced in six seasons at USC.

“Notre Dame is a great team,” Smith said. “It’s the best offense I’ve seen in six years since I’ve been here. They have speed, power and an excellent offensive line.

“(Quarterback) Rick Mirer has done an excellent job of throwing the ball and he runs the option very well.”

Averaging a school-record 37.8 points per game, the Irish are ranked fourth in the nation in scoring, third in total offense (476.9 yards per game) and third in rushing offense (276 yards). Mirer is fifth in passing efficiency with a 139.0 rating.

About 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday’s game at the Coliseum. . . . USC is 5-9-1 against Notre Dame in games when the Trojans were coming off a loss to UCLA. . . . There will be a moment of silence before the game for Gwynn Wilson, a USC life trustee, who died Nov. 13 at the age of 95. Wilson helped originate the Notre Dame-USC series when he persuaded Knute Rockne to add the Trojans to the Irish schedule in 1925. . . . Charles Phillips, a former USC All-American safety in 1974 who played on the 1972 and 1974 teams, will be saluted during the game. . . . Notre Dame injury report: Fullback Jerome Bettis (ankle), who has not started the last three games because of an ankle sprain, will probably play. Guards Todd Norman (thumb) and Lance Johnson (torn arch) are also probable.