SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly believes all the challenges quarterback Everett Golson has faced this season should help him against Southern California on Saturday at Memorial Coliseum.

The top-ranked Fighting Irish (11-0) head to Los Angeles with their hopes alive for their first national championship since 1988. Kelly believes the challenges Golson faced at Michigan State and at Oklahoma will help him deal with the pressure that comes with his team being ranked No. 1 for the first time in 19 years and playing in a rivalry game that has been dominated the past decade by USC (7-4).

Golson says he's not thinking big picture. He is trying to become just the second Notre Dame quarterback to open his career by winning his first 10 starts.