Plot Already Has Thickened

Top-ranked USC does not play ninth-ranked Notre Dame until today, but the gamesmanship began Friday when the Trojans trod through thick, ankle-deep grass during their walk-through at Notre Dame Stadium.

“Nice,” middle linebacker Oscar Lua said of the nearly four-inch turf. “It looks like my front yard.”

Coach Pete Carroll characterized the field’s condition as “a sign of respect” for his speedy team, which is riding a 27-game winning streak that includes a 45-14 victory here in 2003.

“This is a nice reception,” Carroll said, adding that his team embraced the field conditions in much the same way the Trojans reveled in bad weather last season at Washington State.

Asked if Notre Dame had intentionally let the grass grow to slow the Trojans, Doug Walker, associate sports information director, did not flinch. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

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Several hundred Notre Dame fans heckled the Trojans when their buses arrived and departed the stadium for the walk-through.

USC players rocked the vehicles from the inside, embracing the verbal abuse.

“That’s the kind of thing that can really a help a team, when you know that everyone is against you,” offensive line coach Pat Ruel said.

Fans saved their loudest jeers for quarterback Matt Leinart, the Heisman Trophy winner who was one of the last players to walk to the bus.

“Ballroom Dancer! Ballroom Dancer!” chanted a group of students, eliciting a comment from Leinart that excited the group even more.

“I’ve never seen the campus like this week,” said Anthony Luchetta, a junior from Green Bay, Wis., who taped the Trojans’ departure. “You can feel it in the air. It’s incredible.”

An estimated 40,000 fans showed up at Notre Dame Stadium for a pep rally Friday night.

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The temperature for the afternoon kickoff is expected to be in the mid-60s.... Today’s game is the 181st consecutive sellout at 80,795-seat Notre Dame Stadium, though the first 130 were achieved when capacity was 59,075.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

WHEN USC HAS THE BALL

LenDale White and Reggie Bush each have rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games, though Bush might not be at full speed because of a knee bruise suffered last week against Arizona. Quarterback Matt Leinart will try to pick apart a Fighting Irish secondary that gives up more than 300 yards passing a game. Linebacker Brandon Hoyte is an honors candidate and cornerback Ambrose Wooden has 36 tackles and has intercepted a pass for the Irish, who surrender 422 yards a game.

WHEN NOTRE DAME HAS THE BALL

Quarterback Brady Quinn is flourishing in the offense designed by first-year Coach Charlie Weis. Running back Darius Walker is averaging more than 100 yards rushing a game. Starting defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey returns from a two-game absence because of an ankle injury and freshman linebacker Brian Cushing could play after sitting out four games because of a shoulder injury. Kicker D.J. Fitzpatrick has made six of seven field-goal attempts.

KEYS TO A USC VICTORY

1. Protect Leinart: In a game this big, USC cannot afford to be without the poised Heisman Trophy winner.

2. Contain Quinn: Notre Dame’s quarterback will amass passing yardage but USC’s secondary cannot give up deep passes, as it did against Arizona.

3. Start solid: The Trojans must avoid turnovers, execute on special teams and play a better first half than they did the last time they were on the road -- at Arizona State.

HOW THEY COMPARE

*--* USC Notre Dame 51.6 Scoring 37 19.2 Points allowed 24 349.2 Passing offense 329.8 291.2 Rushing offense 174.4 640.4 Total offense 504.2 246.2 Passing defense 305.6 90.8 Rushing defense 116 337 Total defense 422.2

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-- Gary Klein