Will Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman save his best for USC?
Sam Hartman is a man in search of a moment at Notre Dame.
No. 25 Louisville picked up a program-defining win last Saturday, upsetting Hartman and 10th-ranked Notre Dame, 33-20, in front of a sellout crowd.
The loss ended Notre Dame’s pursuit of the College Football Playoff, but there is still a ton to play for in 2023 for the Fighting Irish. A New Year’s Six bowl is still in play.
Beating USC is its own reward in South Bend.
Hartman struggled last week against Louisville, throwing three interceptions. He was sacked five times in the loss. Hartman had 22 completions on 38 attemps, with 254 yards, 2 touchdowns, and the three picks.
This game versus USC is a season-defining moment for the Trojans as well as Sam Hartman. The Wake Forest transfer still has a chance to leave a memorable imprint on the season against Caleb Williams and USC. If Hartman wins this game, he will leave Notre Dame with a very special and cherished memory. USC-Notre Dame games confer immortality on the winners. This is why college football players come to Notre Dame and USC.
The Trojans hope this won’t be the one game in which Hartman breaks out and shines.
*
Follow Fighting Irish Wire for more on Notre Dame as the Irish prepare to face USC.
Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado.
Follow Ducks Wire for coverage of Oregon football leading into the big game against Washington on October 14.
Prominent Pac-12 sports journalist thinks USC is likely to fire Alex Grinch before season’s end.
USC and Lincoln Riley need to have a plan in place if Alex Grinch coaches poorly and loses to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator might actually be worse than Alex Grinch, a fascinating plot point heading into the October 14 renewal of Irish-Trojans.
Brent Venables is coaching Oklahoma far better this year than Lincoln Riley is coaching USC. It’s up to Riley to change that reality against Notre Dame and Utah.
