The Notre Dame-USC rivalry is just another game? Those are fighting words for fans of the Fighting Irish and Trojans. Or they would be fighting words, if they didn't come from one of their own. It was USC athletic director Pat Haden, a veteran of the classic pairing, who suggested the game holds little meaning for today's players. Is he right?

• "Who cares about the 70s, it's 2011. These teams are irrelevant for various reasons both good and bad." -- SN commenter djjohnson921
• "I love the way haters come out against ND and USC, but they still seek us out. We may be down a little but we still draw the nation's attention. I see our game as brothers fighting it out for bragging rights." -- SN commenter Charles5482

What is USC vs. Notre Dame?

•  
  24%
  Just another game
•  
  53%
  Diminished rivalry
•  
  24%
  Still a great rivalry

(Total votes: 50,567)

Which coach is more likely to restore a program's luster?

•  
  70%
  Brian Kelly
•  
  30%
  Lane Kiffin

(Total votes: 7,970)

Which school do you like more?

•  
  38%
  Notre Dame
•  
  22%
  USC
•  
  40%
  Can they both lose?

(Total votes: 7,245)

Which is the best nonconference rivalry?

•  
  32%
  Army vs. Navy
•  
  7%
  Clemson vs. South Carolina
•  
  30%
  Florida vs. Florida State
•  
  5%
  Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
•  
  25%
  Notre Dame vs. USC

(Total votes: 50,095)

Vote: Notre Dame vs. Miami
1. Which coaching gig is better?
2. Would you rather rebuild with Brian Kelly or Al Golden?
3. What does Jacory Harris' future look like?
4. Is renewing this rivalry still a big deal?
5. Which team will win in El Paso, Texas?
Vote: Hyundai Sun Bowl

Vote: No. 20 South Carolina vs. No. 23 Florida State
1. Do Steve Spurrier's Florida ties matter?
2. Which quarterback is better when healthy?
3. Who is South Carolina's real offensive star?
4. Which program has a tougher life?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Vote: Chick-fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31, ESPN/ESPN3, 7:30 ET)

Vote: No. 16 Alabama vs. No. 9 Michigan State
1. Which roster has more overall talent?
2. Which quarterback has the edge?
3. Just how good is Mark Ingram this season?
4. Is Alabama Nick Saban's last job?
5. Which team will win in Orlando?
Vote: Capital One Bowl (Jan. 1, ESPN/ESPN3, 1 ET)

Vote: Florida vs. Penn State
1. Will Joe Paterno be coaching in 2012?
2. How tough will replacing Paterno be?
3. Is Robert Bolden the QB of the future?
4. Will the Gators be motivated?
5. Which team will win in Tampa?
Vote: Outback Bowl (Jan. 1, ABC, 1 ET)

Vote: No. 11 LSU vs. No. 17 Texas A&M
1. Will LSU be motivated to play in a non-BCS game?
2. Is there a better job for Mike Sherman?
3. Which high-profile QB was a bigger disappointment?
4. Will LSU be able to run the ball?
5. Which team will win in Dallas?
Vote: Cotton Bowl

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 1 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas

• Would you want Ryan Mallet or Greg McElroy as your QB in a tight situation?

• Who is the best NFL prospect in this game?

• Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at Arkansas!

Cash (Arkansas)

Joe Adams is having a great season for the hogs this year. If he has a big game against Bama can he make his way into the heisman watch?

SEC blogger Chris Low

I think Adams is one of the best players in the SEC after the catch. He's terrific in space and making people miss. But it's just so hard for receivers to make a legitimate run in the Heisman race no matter how special they are. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 24 Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State

• Is Boise State in Oregon State's head?

• Will Boise State run the table if it beats Oregon State?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oregon State at Boise State!

Adam (NV)

Who do you think will win this wknd between OSU vs Boise? Any chance the Beavers keep it close, or even pull the upset?

Pat Forde

Adam: Wouldn't be surprised if Oregon State keeps it close. Would be surprised if Oregon State wins. Like Boise to win. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 West Virginia at No. 15 LSU

• Is Les Miles' job secure?

• How would a West Virginia win shake things up?

• Vote on those and other questions about West Virginia at LSU!

Walt (DC)

What will WVU do to compensate for lack of size going up against LSU's offense and defense lines?

Big East blogger Brian Bennett

I think the Mountaineers will be OK defensively. Offensive line is an issue. They need to get a push up front against what is always a talented defensive line. Perhaps some screens, the shotgun and a little old-fashioned zone read can slow that down. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 16 Stanford at Notre Dame

• Which school is stronger academically?

• How well does Brian Kelly need to do this season?

• Vote on those and other questions about Stanford at Notre Dame!

Dave (NC)

I've had a bad weekend Andrea. I only care about UNC and Notre Dame sports when it comes to college and I'm from MA so the Pats let me down as well...... give me something to look forward to for UNC and or ND this week.

Andrea Adelson

Oh, Dave. I hope you are staying away from sharp objects ;) Both teams have been competitive, so there is that. Notre Dame is a few plays away from being 3-0, so there is that. I am not sure the Irish can beat Stanford -- the Cardinal have looked awfully good. But UNC can definitely beat Rutgers. From what I have seen of the Scarlet Knights, they haven't looked overly impressive and probably should have lost to FIU. Full transcript

Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for South Carolina at Auburn

• Which is a tougher place to win on the road?

• Will South Carolina ever play in a BCS game under Steve Spurrier?

• Vote on those and other questions about South Carolina at Auburn!

Sanders Colson (Atlanta)

Auburn won one they probably should have lost to Clemson. How do think they will do against S Carolina?

Mark Schlabach

I think it should be a really good game. Clemson had some success running the ball, so I'd expect to see a heavy dose of Marcus Lattimore. Clemson did a nice job shutting down AU's offense in the first half, too. That's happened twice in the last two games, but give AU credit for coming back. Newton threw the ball well at the end. Full transcript

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 18 Penn State at No. 1 Alabama

• Will Alabama miss Marcel Dareus more than Mark Ingram if the latter can't play?

• Who is the best coach out of Bear Bryant, Joe Paterno and Nick Saban?

• Vote on those and other questions about Penn State at Alabama!

Matt (Allentown, PA)

JoePa sounds more down on his team than he ever has when they were actually not that good. Do you think he might be bluffing and really think that Penn State has chance to be pretty good this year? I just do not believe when he says he does not have good leadership on the line. Wisniewski wasn't voted a captain, but he has to be leading those lineman.

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg

Joe always sandbags a bit, especially before big games. He has done this for decades. I was pretty stunned that Stefen Wisniewski wasn't elected a captain, but I'm sure he's a good leader along that O-line. The group has to perform better, but leadership doesn't seem to be an issue. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for Michigan at Notre Dame

• Would you rather have Denard Robinson or Dayne Crist?

• Which program would you rather see regain gridiron prominence?

• Vote on those and other questions about Michigan at Notre Dame!

Curt (Indiana)

Mel, I think we'll get a better sense of both Notre Dame and Michigan this weekend. What do you think?

Mel Kiper

I think we got an indication of both teams being very improved. Notre Dame looking spirited. Better QB play from Crist. More sound fundamentally. For Michigan, Denard is the real deal. They are banged up. I liked the way Notre Dame played on paper, this is an evenly matched football game. This win will springboard the winner to an 8-9 win season. If Michigan can find a way to be 5-0 when they host Michigan State. Notre Dame plays at Michigan State and then Stanford. If they lose this game, they could be below .500 going into October. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 17 Florida State at No. 10 Oklahoma

• Is Landry Jones as good as Christian Ponder at quarterback?

• Just how good a running back is Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray?

• Vote on those and other questions about Florida State at Oklahoma!

Chris J (Oklahoma City, Ok.)

Do you think Landry Jones just had an off game, or is he really not all he is hyped up to be?

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

I really think it was just an off game. He showed plenty of times last year that he's way, way more than competent. The two games he struggled were against some of the best defenses in America--and away from home. What would you expect from a freshman who's been starting for a month or two? Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 12 Miami at No. 2 Ohio State

• Is talk of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl really fueling the Hurricanes?

• Is Heisman hopeful Terrelle Pryor really that much better than Jacory Harris?

• Vote on those and other questions about Miami at Ohio State!

Looking for Options (Limbo)

Should ACC fans root for Miami and have to listen to their incessant arrogance but get a "stronger" conference? Or should we root against them and hopefully they will shut up about the U being back?

ACC blogger Heather Dinich

Hmm. Forget being a Miami fan or an ACC fan -- just being a college football fan I'd think you'd want the former national powerhouses -- Michigan and Notre Dame included -- to be "back" again for the sake of the sport. Full transcript

Game 5: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 7 Oregon at Tennessee

• Should Kenjon Barner get more carries than LaMichael James?

• Did Lane Kiffin or Jeremiah Masoli leave a program in a bigger lurch?

• Vote on those and other questions about Oregon at Tennessee!

Virginia (Charlotte)

How do you rate Oregon's senior Line Backers? Will the Duck's lack of beef on the D-line be a problem this weekend?

Mel Kiper

No, I don't think it will be. I like their defensive talent. They're challenge is replacing Ward in that secondary. He was arguably their best defensive player. I like their linebackers. This is a nice trip for them to go to SEC country and playing Tennessee. They have a developing star in Kenjon Barner, a sophomore do-it-all in the backfield. Great return man. He'll be one of the best players on the field. Full transcript

Game 6: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 22 Georgia at No. 24 South Carolina

• Did the NCAA go overboard on A.J. Green's suspension?

• Is the loser of this game effectively out of the SEC East race?

• Vote on those and other questions about Georgia at South Carolina!

Jon (Jacksonville, FL)

Ivan, with all the great games on this weekend, do you think the UGA - USC game might be the best when taking into account the stakes, the relative strength of both teams, and the recent history of the contest?

Ivan Maisel

Great point, Jon. They always play a close game. they are two of the top three teams in the SEC East -- and may be the top two, based on last week. I am thrilled that it's the noon game. Full transcript

• Vote: What is the right move for BYU? | What about the original Notre Dame?
• Rank 'Em: How will the Mountain West race unfold this season?

You thought we were done with conference reshuffling just because the regular season is right around the corner and fans are already staking out prime tailgating real estate? Think again. As Andy Katz reported yesterday, BYU is inching ever closer to ditching the Mountain West Conference in favor of football independence (and WAC dependence in the rest of its athletic offerings).

But is making a move to become the "Notre Dame of the West" really a wise plan? Do they only get NBC in Provo? As Brian Kelly starts his first season as coach of the Fighting Irish -- the fourth coach in 10 seasons at the school -- South Bend isn't exactly the center of the college football universe that perhaps it once was.

Meanwhile, even with Fresno State and Nevada coming aboard, SportsNation blogger laneguzman wonders if BYU's departure would lead TCU to make a move of its own.

• "Why stay in the MWC without BYU and Utah? What good is a going undefeated and not being able to play for the nation championship? Why should your other sports suffer playing in the MWC when they could join a stronger conference. The Big 12 in baseball perhaps?" -- Check out laneguzman's blog

Kevin (Provo)

What are BYU's chances of having another 10+ win season with their tough schedule?

College Football Nation blogger Andrea Adelson

It's going to be tough. The schedule is absolutely brutal. Washington is going to be better; Air Force is going to be better; FSU is going to be better; Nevada is going to be better. That's just the first 4. There are high hopes at Utah St., too. And then BYU has to play at TCU and at Utah. This team is young and inexperienced without a QB at this point. So I think a 10-win season is going to be an absolute testament to Bronco Mendenhall if it happens. Full transcript

“

This is ridiculous. Some needs to put a stop to all this madness. College Football was great because of the passion and tradition. Lets just call college football NFL JR. Greed is ruining this sport. Sad. If BYU leaves the MWC they will get whats coming to them.

” -- davidpimp03

“

Ironically, the only thing that is saving the MWC from falling behind the Sunbelt and MAC to #11 is the addition of Boise St.(which it shunned too long). If BSU had stayed in the WAC...? Hawaii, BSU, Nevada and Fresno would definitely be better than what is left in the MWC now.

” -- bodhisamaya

• Your Rankings: Where does Brian Kelly rank amongst the game's top coaches?
• Vote: Do you fault Kelly for leaving an undefeated team before a bowl game?
• College football chat: ESPN Stats and Information's Ryan McCrystal on Heisman, 4 ET

So let us see if we understand this. Coaches need to get their programs to BCS games or risk losing their jobs. But when they get there, they need to bail before the game so they can start recruiting at their next job. College football is strange.

If Nebraska defensive tackle Nadaukong Suh isn't quite so awesome and doesn't pressure Colt McCoy quite so much in the closing seconds of the Big 12 title game, perhaps the clock runs out on Texas before its able to kick a game-winning field goal. As a result, Cincinnati plays Alabama for the national title and Brian Kelly doesn't talk to Notre Dame this week. College football is really strange.

But given the system that's currently in place, can anyone (other than perhaps Cincinnati players, who seem to have a right to feel pretty ticked) blame Kelly for walking away from an undefeated season?

SportsNation blogger wright4256 sure can.

• "I respect every player on [Cincinnati's] football team. They are certainly more of a man than their former coach. The whole situation was handled poorly by Kelly. Last night, he proved to be a complete coward. Every member of the UC football team is facing the biggest challenge of their football career. They are going to be facing a great team on a national stage and looking to show the country they are a championship caliber team. They are looking to further drive home the point that Ohio State is not the only football program in Ohio. And the man who is supposed to lead them bolts for another coaching job." -- Read the full post.

“

Horrible move for Kelly! Why DOWNGRADE!? Notre Dame is THE MOST OVERRATED college in football! CinCinnati is BETTER! Look at the records people! CinCinnati lost 6 games in the past 3 years combined! Notre Dame lost 6 THIS YEAR!!!! WHY go coach a bunch of PREPPY SNOBS, Mr. Kelly? You are making a bad decision Mr. Kelly! You will regret it!!

” -- shizhnitthekobold

“

This was the best hire ND could make with the guys they were interviewing. He'll keep up the offensive statistics that Notre Dame has had of late, however, his defenses haven't exactly been stout. He'll have a chance, and to those saying that he'll have a shorter leash than Weis, I think you are mistaken. I think he'll have more wiggle room, just because they need to give some consistency to the program.

” -- rwd5035

“

Kelly is a really good coach and seems like a good man. I don't blame him for taking the Notre Dame job. What bothers me is the way he handled the speculation and his players the last 2 weeks. A midst a great college football game for the BigEast championship (UC @ PITT), all of the focus was on the coach possibly leaving. He KNEW he would take that job, yet he toyed with the emotions of his players....it showed in their TV interviews last night. They were MAD as hell.

” -- cincinnatiboy23

• Vote: What's your take on some of the names swirling around South Bend?
• Vote: How will Brian Kelly's Cincinanti Bearcats fare in the Sugar Bowl?
• Chat: Bruce Feldman, 2 ET | Pac-10's Ted Miller, 3 ET | Big Ten's Adam Rittenberg, 4 ET

Brutal winters, impossible academic standards and a job that SportsNation says comes with more pressure than anything this side of managing the Yankees or coaching Kentucky basketball. Sure, who wouldn't want to trade life in a place like Gainesville for that?

Notre Dame's coaching search continues, and new rumors about Connecticut coach Randy Edsall suggest it may not be as much of a holding pattern for Cincinnati boss Brian Kelly as previously thought. As the Onion brilliantly parodied, people tend to get a little worked up about a job opening in South Bend, but voters have distinct opinions about the saga.

• 55 percent: Brian Kelly would be a better fit at Notre Dame than Jim Harbaugh.
• 74 percent: Brian Kelly would be a better fit at Notre Dame than Randy Edsall.
• 58 percent: Coach in Kelly's position should be focused on current team's bowl game.
• 84 percent: Michigan, Nebraska or Florida State better bet to bounce back first.

And for the record, here's the rundown of the coaching jobs SportsNation recently rated as the toughest in American sports.

David (Texas)

Is the Notre Dame job starting to look like a death warrant for coaches?

Beano Cook

Look, I said this 40 years ago. The only way Notre Dame doesn't win is if they don't pick the right coach. One of these days, they'll get the right one and win again. I thought Charlie Weis would do well. Obviously, I was wrong. Full transcript

Donald (Eugene)

Rather than try to make a media splash, should ND just hire a guy who can coach; like Mike Riley? (We Duck fans wouldn't mind).

Mel Kiper

Mike Riley would be a great choice. He's one of my favorite college coaches. I've been raving on this chat and radio shows and on TV about him. He has the NFL coaching experience behind him. The more experience you have in running a program, the more successful you'll be at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis had no experience with that. You need a guy that's dealt with the media, the pressure, recruiting. I think he'd be a great choice. Kirk Ferentz as well. They are two of the coaches who are way, way underrated. But Brian Kelly is an outstanding football coach. I like his attitude and approach. He's demanding. He'll make sure the players produce. I think he brings that to Notre Dame. Full transcript

• Vote: Does Michigan have a chance at home against Ohio State? | Pick all the games
• Your Rankings: How does your Heisman Watch look without Jimmy Clausen?
• Chat: Check out what Pat Forde has to say on all things gridiron.

This probably isn't what fans of Michigan and Notre Dame had in mind when they hoped for meaningful November games to watch this season.

After a loss at home against Navy, any hope Charlie Weis has (and 60 percent of SportsNation believes it's no hope at all) of keeping his job beyond this season probably rides on sweeping Connecticut, Stanford and a non-BCS bowl game. And the situation may be even less complicated in Ann Arbor, where Rich Rodriguez faces rival Ohio State this weekend needing a win to avoid a second consecutive losing season.

SportsNation blogger and Michigan fan nunyabiz81 breaks down what's on the line:

"Frankly, for me, there's a fine line between RR failing this year and his not failing this year. Beating OSU and making a bowl, at this moment, is that line. I suspect a lot of fans feel the same way. And it didn't have to come down to OSU, either, because the thing that we feel worst about is missing bowl games. And that's because it's the one thing we always do -- make bowl games. ... And if RR pulls off a win against OSU and a miracle bowl appearance, a lot of people will quiet down." -- Read the full post.

joe (chicago)

assuming that ND is going to have a new coach next year, should they be acting now or is swarbrick really going to wait until the season is said and done to make a move?

Mark Schlabach

[Athletic director Jack Swarbrick] told me Saturday night in Pittsburgh that he was going to wait until the end of the season, and I think that's only fair to Weis and his players. They can still get to the Gator Bowl, perhaps, by winning their last two games. I think they know who they're going after. Full transcript

• Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25
• Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia
• Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others
• More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman
• Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).