USC VS. NOTRE DAME

* Time: 5 p.m.

* Site: Coliseum.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Records: USC 7-4, Notre Dame 9-1.

* Radio: XTRA (690), KMSL (1540).

* The offenses: The quarterback question throws everything into uncertainty for Notre Dame, which will start junior Eric Chappell in place of the injured Jarious Jackson, although freshman Arnaz Battle also will play. There might not be much question about Notre Dame’s game plan, though. The Fighting Irish, ranked 13th in the nation in rushing, are expected to use their option attack extensively. USC, with freshman Carson Palmer at quarterback and receiver R. Jay Soward closer to 100% as he recovers from a sprained ankle, would like to rediscover the big-play offense that was missing in the fumble-marred loss to UCLA.

* The defenses: USC’s strength is against the pass--the Trojans rank fifth in the nation in pass-efficiency defense. But USC needs to stop the run a week after giving up 227 yards rushing to UCLA. Notre Dame running back Autry Denson has averaged 129 a game in three outings against the Trojans. Notre Dame’s defense has been sporadic, but the Irish have been good when it counts in close games, beating Purdue with the help of two late interceptions and stopping Boston College inside the five-yard line on four rushes in the last two minutes.

* Key to the game: Chappell and Battle are carrying it. After Jackson’s injury, the oddsmakers made USC the favorite. The Trojans will have to keep the Irish running game in check and take advantage of mistakes by the inexperienced quarterbacks.

* Fast fact: Notre Dame leads the series, 39-25-5, but since 1967, the series is tied, 14-14-3.

* Line: USC by 8 1/2.

NOTES / Morton Wants to Run It Up

Tailback Chad Morton’s fifth 100-yard game of the season raised his rushing total to 839 yards, leaving him 161 yards shy of becoming USC’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Delon Washington in 1995, and only the Trojans’ second in eight years.

“I’ve talked to the line about it, and it would be good for all of us,” Morton said. “It’s a real big goal for them too. People have criticized them from Day 1. For a young line to produce a 1,000-yard rusher is something that hasn’t been done here in a while.”

The NCAA counts only regular-season games toward rushing totals, but USC includes bowl games in its records, which would give Morton two more games to reach 1,000.

*

USC won in South Bend, Ind., for the first time since 1981 last season when Adam Abrams kicked a 37-yard field goal in the final minutes.

Not forgotten, though, are the three field goals Notre Dame kicker Jim Sanson missed--and he struggled again last week against Louisiana State.

“That’s a legitimate issue and there’s no reason to try to avoid the issue because Jim has to deal with it,” Coach Bob Davie said. “All I can do is reinforce Jim Sanson by saying, ‘You’re our kicker.’

“My actions by showing confidence in him do a lot more than what I say. And he’s going to be our kicker Saturday and I’ve got complete confidence in him.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--*

USC Notre Dame 28.8 Scoring 30.0 19.4 Points allowed 20.3 213.9 Passing 177.5 140.5 Rushing 221.5 354.4 Total offense 399.0 195.8 Passing defense 207.1 144.2 Rushing defense 143.4 340.0 Total defense 350.5

*--*