SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis gathered his players around him at the end of the final practice before the 25th-ranked Fighting Irish face No. 6 USC on Saturday and made a prediction.

He told the players that one way or another, they will be the lead story in the nation Saturday night after the game. He asked them: “So which lead story do you want to be?”
Probably the storyline he’d like to see most is Jimmy Clausen having the game of his life to beat the Trojans, ending a record seven-game losing streak to USC and becoming a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. The one he’d like to see least? Another USC blowout, putting his job in jeopardy.