USC vs. Notre Dame: Trojans Hold Physical Practice

If only you could actually win football games on Wednesday. The USC Trojans were off and running in one of the most physical practices of the season. Following a family-friendly environment at Howard Jones Field, the Trojans are gearing up for a physical football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

In terms of facing a rival, many of the top players are viewing this as just another game. Players speak, maybe? But it might also speak to the level of preparation that goes into this big game on Saturday. Here in the final regular season game of the year, closing out the career of the seniors, players are focusing on finishing the year with a win.

"We gotta prepare (for Notre Dame), and you have to be ready when your number is called," said redshirt junior wideout George Farmer. "We prepare for the same team in and out, its just the name that makes the difference."

USC will practice tomorrow in the final practice of the season, but the intensity in the day before Thanksgiving spoke of a team excited to put on the pads and go "thump" before taking the Coliseum field on Saturday. Bodies were flying around both sides of the ball, which really impressed the coaching staff for being this late into the season.

Remember now, USC has only beaten Notre Dame once in the last four years which means this rivalry game could be a brief glimpse of hope in an otherwise underwhelming career against their two biggest rivals. That's especially true for the seniors, who will be led out of the tunnel by Trojan great, and Notre Dame killer, quarterback Matt Leinart.

USC Trojan Practice Notes

• Freshman Damien Mama continued to take the first-team reps at left guard and is on track to start.
• Bryce Dixon is recovering from a concussion but has not yet been cleared to play.
• Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised the effort of the entire freshmen class, especially given scholarship reductions.
• Hayes Pullard wore his old Crenshaw High School jersey during practice.

Sark when asked about his favorite Thanksgiving dish, "Oh I don't know... Look at me, I like it all." #USC

— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) November 26, 2014