First of all, we're putting the cart before the horse..First of all, as usual USC has the talent to beat ND, with a week off, and revenge on mind, a very formidable foe..and the ones moaning the weakness of schedule notwithstanding, UM in Ann Arbor will be very difficult to beat, just look at recent history of games played there between the 2..Id say if ND wins these 2 impressively, they get catapulted into the conversation...then run the table concluding with Stanford on road, who just beat Washington, yes there is a chance..then its in hands of committee, with results of conference play a huge factor..Pac 12 champ is already out..