The Notre Dame Fighting Irish set the tables for themselves with such care. New gold (GOLD) helmets, dozens of blue chip recruits in the house, a home night game for the first time in rivalry history. But the USC Trojans brought Robert Woods, so. USC won it, 31-17, after tearing out to a 17-0 lead and rarely looking back.

The win is Lane Kiffin's first over the Irish and will likely assure Southern Cal a spot in next week's top 25. One of them, at least, since they're not eligible for a lot of them. Analysis.

Woods finished with two touchdowns and 119 yards, complemented by Curtis McNeal's 118 yards rushing. Notre Dame was forced to juggle Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees -- the most noteworthy moment in depth chart management came after Crist gave up a million-yard fumble return touchdown off a bobbled snap.

USC pulls within nine of Notre Dame in the all-time rivalry record, 43-34-5.

For further reading, news, discussion and more, visit Notre Dame blog One Foot Down and USC blog Conquest Chronicles. Here’s this week’s college football TV schedule, and stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news hub for more.