Strange way they have set this up makes me wonder. Used to be after the UCLA game, but going before could have some focus implications. Still a rivalry, but my gut feeling is the players and staff are much more concerned about whipping on the crosstown rival than the cross-country one. The extra week off definitely looks in ND's favor as well; they were looking a bit out of gas and need the preparation and rest time a lot more. Then again SC probably has been chomping at the bit to finally play a team closer to its class than the mostly cellar dwellers they have had the last month.
