SOUTH BEND -- What a great ol' saying: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas. It's not a holiday atmosphere around the Notre Dame football team these days, but there are plenty of ifs and buts swirling around the program as the second half of the season begins.

If receiver Michael Floyd would have been healthy Saturday, Notre Dame would have beaten Southern Cal. That's not to take anything away from Robby Parris, who had a courageous effort (nine receptions, 92 yards). But with the attention the Trojans had to pay to Golden Tate (eight catches, 117 yards, two TDs), a receiver of Floyd's caliber could have posed some very difficult situations. His presence would have been worth a touchdown -- and maybe a two-point conversion.

If the Irish could have gotten two yards on two plays on their first possession of the third quarter, the outcome may have been different. Trailing 13-7, Notre Dame had the ball third-and-two on the USC 28. A one-yard gain by Armando Allen and no gain by James Aldridge ended the drive and gave the ball to the Trojans. Six plays later, Matt Barkley threw a swing pass to Damian Williams, who turned it into a 41-yard touchdown - 20-7 USC, rather than 13-10, or 14-13 ND. Whatever happened to using tight end Kyle Rudolph in that situation? He caught just three passes for nine yards the entire game. If Notre Dame would have called a timeout in the final 30 seconds of the game, as precious ticks slipped away, there might have been time for a fourth play from the 4. Where's Danny Hope when you need him?

If the Irish defense had a clue how to contain Southern Cal's bulldozer of a tight end, Anthony McCoy (five receptions, 153 yards), Barkley wouldn't have appeared nearly as impressive. If the Irish aren't able to get out of their post-USC funk in a hurry, they're going to have a problem Saturday against Boston College. This was Notre Dame's eighth straight loss to the Trojans. In the seven previous setbacks, the Irish are 2-5 the following game. If Saturday's loss can be compared to the last-second loss in 2005, Notre Dame came back from that devastation to beat BYU.

If Notre Dame somehow finds a way to win its final six games - though Washington State's probably the only gimme in the bunch - a 10-2 Notre Dame team wouldn't necessarily be a lock for the BCS. Southern Cal was the last real quality win on the board. Climbing up the polls from No. 26 won't be easy, especially while playing programs that aren't exactly marquee-caliber. But really, living on the edge as Notre Dame has the last five games, the odds favor another disappointment or two.

If quarterback Jimmy Clausen continues his impressive clutch play, he may have a big decision to face after the season. There may not be a Heisman Trophy with his name on it. Many of the other top players in the country will have their opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Clausen's spotlight dimmed with three incomplete passes late Saturday. However, NFL scouts have a knack for looking beyond the spotlight. What they'll see is a young quarterback who has proven himself as a guy who can perform well despite adversity. Irish coach Charlie Weis points to the end of the Purdue game as Clausen's coming of age. Game on the line, hobbled with turf toe, Clausen still directs the game-winning drive. The NFL will pay dearly for that sort of grit.

If Clausen's gone in 2010, the face of the Irish program changes significantly. With it, more ifs and buts arrive.