To put it bluntly his name is on the line

USC is not the same team that's been dominating the college football landscape for almost a decade.Gone is the feared defense that would win games by just showing up. Terrelle Pryor was able to make throws and hittargets and at points in the game had USC on their heels ready to break.And for all the talent and athleticism that Pryor posses at this time in his life he is no Jimmy Clausen. Add to that a freshman quarterback who still hasn't been given the keys to the Trojan car and USC will not be looking for their offense to win the game...but Notre Dame will surely be looking for the offense to.More than anything, USC brings respect. If Jimmy Clausen is able to knock down the Trojans this weekend, everything in his life will change.

Take away a victory from the most dominant team this decade and everybodyremembers you. To put it bluntly, his name is on the line.Think of Roethlissberger...you immediately think of the drive against the Cardinals to win the Super Bowl. Think of Eli Manning...you immediately think of "That Miracle Catch."Everything anybody has ever wanted from Jimmy is on the line...from the hype, to the talent can make for instant stardom and a Heisman Trophy. No seriously...Jimmy Clausen can win the Heisman Trophy in one night.Nobody has really separated themselves in the pack this year.

Jimmy Clausen is in the mix with a number of other prospects, but nobody has really separated themselves. With one good performance against USC, Jimmy can start picking out suits for the Nokia Theatre.You don't think one game can win you a Heisman Go ask Eddie George. The 1995 Buckeye took the Heisman from Tommy Frazier in one of the closest votes in the history of the award by rushing for 314 yards and three touchdowns against Penn State.What carries the weight in this game is that nobody thinks Notre Dame has a snowball's chance in hell of going up against USC. Well not everybody, Beano Cook and Lou Holtz think Notre Dame will beat USC.