Same narratives loom large following latest USC loss

It does not look like USC will be able to gain the much-needed statement win that many Trojan fans were hoping for this year.

Following a disappointing 34-24 loss to Notre Dame, USC now finds itself sitting at 5-2.

This loss, however, is more than just an additional mark in the 'L' column. Instead, Trojan fans have to look with a certain degree of frustration as a lot of the aspects that have plagued this program showed up yet again in a big-time matchup in South Bend on Saturday.

Forget the fact that this 10-point defeat came to the historic rival in Notre Dame. The way that the Fighting Irish were simply able to instill their will on the game does not leave too much room for optimism even in the unlikely event of the Trojans making the College Football Playoffs.

In order to beat the good teams, one has to be able to take control and dominate on the line of scrimmage at critical times throughout the four quarters. It was, however, the hosts who not only ran the ball however they felt like but also did well in limiting USC.

Notre Dame forced USC to become one-dimensional, and one of the bigger strengths of the Trojan offense in King Miller and Bryan Jackson, saw themselves in a much more reserved role than what many would have hoped entering into the matchup.

Perhaps things would have been different if Waymond Jordan or Eli Sanders had been able to suit up. Even so, it appears that the equivalent of living or dying by the three took root due to what the Notre Dame defense was able to force USC away from.