Notre Dame and USC will likely have two key players when the two teams clash in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Irish coach Brian Kelly said linebacker Manti Te'o, who has a team-high 118 tackles, suffered a broken nose in the 27-3 victory over Army in Yankee Stadium.
Te'o had his nose set Sunday and will be ready to go against the Trojans, Kelly said during his weekly teleconference.
"He will be cleared to play this weekend," Kelly said. "He won't be as attractive. But he will certainly be able to play this week."
USC quarterback Matt Barkley could also be ready to play Saturday.
Barkley sprained his left ankle in the Trojans' 36-7 loss at Oregon State, but X-rays on the quarterback's sprained left ankle showed no broken bones, according The Associated Press.
If Barkley is unable to play, Mitch Mustain would start for USC.
Getting ready
Notre Dame will start this week with it normal Monday and Tuesday schedule, but adjustments will be made later in the week, Kelly said.
With no classes Wednesday, Kelly said he will talk to the team about practicing early or late.
"(On Thanksgiving), we'll practice in the morning from approximately 9 to 11, we'll have Thanksgiving dinner here for the team," Kelly said. "We'll let them get away and bring them back at night for check-in. Then we're on the road Friday."
Complete back
Cierre Wood is proving he can be an every down back for Notre Dame.
The sophomore followed his 19-carry, 71-yard performance against Utah with 14 carries for 88 yards against Army.
But it is more than his production that will keep him on the field, Kelly said.
"His ability to pick up the blitz and the pressure," Kelly said were key for Wood to stay on the field and become a 20- to 25-carry back. "He did an incredible job on two big plays that we had of over 30 yards, two of our big chunk plays, he was in there in protection.
"He gave up sacks earlier in the year, not being able to protect. That gets him on the field more. When he's on the field, he's going to get more carries. His carries weren't necessarily running the football. It's how you keep him on the field to get enough carries. Because he's better in pass pro, he's going to get more opportunities.
"Now, he can't get tackled by the ankles. There were a couple times there I thought he's got to fight through some runs. But he's getting better and better each week."
Trojan troubles
USC athletic department officials met with the student who provided the golf-cart ride to freshman tailback Dillon Baxter before the incident and told him it was against NCAA rules, the AP reported the school said.
Baxter didn't play in Saturday's loss at Oregon State after ESPNLosAngeles.com reported that Teague Egan, the CEO of 1st Round Enterprises, is registered as a contract adviser with the NFL Players Association and 1st Round Enterprises advertises services for athletes on its website that include contract negotiations and endorsement deals.
USC coach Lane Kiffin said he didn't know whether Baxter would play this weekend against Notre Dame.
"I would anticipate having a lot more information (Monday) when the NCAA offices open up," Kiffin said Sunday.
