 "Photo: Quincy Dein | Daily Trojan")
Even after falling out of the AP top 10 for the first time in nearly five years, USC still has a chance to make history.
No. 13 USC (5-1, 3-1) will try to extend its winning streak against Notre Dame to six games, a mark the Trojans have never achieved in the 78 game series, when they take on the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
USC coach Pete Carroll can also become the first coach in Trojan history to win three consecutive games at South Bend.
But after emphasizing the history of the rivalry before a 2001 loss to the Fighting Irish, Carroll hasdecided to downplay the past.
"I showed clips from the old days and gave history lessons, and now I look back, and that's so far from the way I think," Carroll said at practice Tuesday.
But reminders of the game's fanfare will be everywhere Saturday.
The Fighting Irish will be wearing green jerseys against the Trojans to commemorate their 1977 national championship. The game will also mark the 75th anniversary of USC's shutout against Notre Dame, which helped lead the Trojans to their third national championship.
Carroll hopes to leave all the celebrations in the past.
"I try to make it real to them and make sure [the history] doesn't become a factor because that'll cook us if it does," Carroll said.
Saturday will mark USC's first return trip to South Bend since a last-second victory in 2005 that featured a fourth-and-nine pass from Matt Leinart to Dwayne Jarrett and Leinart's famous "Bush Push" touchdown run.
Last year, USC dismantled the Fighting Irish in the Coliseum, 44-24.
Notre Dame (1-6) has faced a harsh history lesson this season after limping to an 0-5 start, the worst in program history. The Fighting Irish need to win the rest of their games to remain eligible for a bowl.
With his team ranked second-to-last in the nation in total offense, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis decided to start Evan Sharpley at quarterback instead of Jimmy Clausen.
"I think Evan gives us the best chance of winning," Weis said at his Tuesday press conference.
Carroll hasrefused to follow Weis' lead and has not yet named his starting quarterback for Saturday.
John David Booty returned to practice this week and threw the ball while wearing a protective glove for his broken middle finger. Sophomore Mark Sanchez has received all of the first-team reps, however, and could be in line for his second career start.
Even if Booty doesn't play Saturday, the Trojans hope to see a number of players return from injury.
Brian Cushing practiced full strength throughout the week and is expected to start at strong side linebacker. The junior from Park Ridge, N.J., has been held out of action since spraining his ankle in the season opener against Idaho.
Rey Maualuga practiced Thursday and might play, Carroll said. Maualuga had to be taken out of last week's win against Arizona, and an MRI revealed he had suffered a hip pointer.
Thomas Williams will start if Maualuga can't play.
Carroll also expected offensive guard Chilo Rachal to be ready to play on Saturday, but Alatini Malu is slated to start at right guard. Rachal's possible return from a knee injury suffered at Washington could help boost an offensive line that has been decimated by injuries.
"We have no depth," Carroll said of his front line. "There's nothing to look at and evaluate right now."
Notre Dame's offensive line has also been scrutinized this season after giving up an NCAA-worst 34 sacks.
The Fighting Irish may be without top rusher James Aldridge, who is listed as doubtful with a high ankle sprain.
