Chicago ? Matt Leinart was 2,000 miles away during a conference call Tuesday, but you could envision him shaking his head.

USC’s celebrity quarterback has a tough time understanding why the Trojans have taken so many public knocks during the last few weeks.

“I think we spoiled everyone with the first two wins,” Leinart said, referring to USC’s 63-17 throttling of Hawaii and 70-17 pasting of Arkansas. “Not every game goes like that.

“We’re still averaging about 640 yards of offense, which is unheard of, and 50 points. Just because we haven’t blown everybody out doesn’t mean we aren’t playing well. There are some areas, penalties, we have to improve on. But as far as moving the ball and putting up points and yards, I think we’re doing perfect.”

Leinart was slightly off with the details, but you can’t argue with his thesis.

Entering Saturday’s monster showdown at Notre Dame, USC ranks first in the nation in total offense at 619.5 yards per game. If that doesn’t impress you, consider that last season’s Trojans averaged 449.1 yards per contest, or that the school record is 471.3, set in 1979.

The Trojans are a Reggie Bush screen pass away from being on pace to break Houston’s 1989 all-time record of 624.9.

The Leinart-led Trojans also rank second nationally in scoring (54.0 points per game) and third in passing efficiency (171.1) and rushing offense (279.8 yards per game).

USC quarterback Matt Leinart unleashes a pass against Arizona on Saturday in Los Angeles. Leinart will lead the No. 1-ranked Trojans on Saturday at No. 9-ranked Notre Dame.

But enough with the statistics. If Saturday’s game were all about past performances, Notre Dame wouldn’t have a chance. Not when you consider the Irish have taken three consecutive 31-point beatings against a USC team that seems to improve every year.

But the top-ranked Trojans won’t be fooled into thinking this is the same Notre Dame team of 2002, 2003 and 2004. The pre-Charlie Weis days are gone.

“The vast difference shows up in the execution of the quarterback and the throwing game,” USC coach Pete Carroll said. “As a new coach can do, he has had an enormous, significant factor in how they perform.

“It’s the same (players), but they have a different notebook, different voices talking to them and different teachers … and it shows. They’re a terrific football team right now and they will continue to get better.”

The level of respect for ninth-ranked Notre Dame extends to USC’s veteran players, even those who administered those back-to-back-to-back beatings.

“They had a couple of down years,” tailback LenDale White said. “But it’s just a matter of time until they get back on top.”

Bush, meanwhile, has fond memories of the 2003 game at Notre Dame Stadium, where he sliced through the Irish defense untouched on a 58-yard touchdown run. He finished with a game-best 89 yards on six carries (14.8 average) and caught a 38-yard pass.

“From the media perspective, it did kind of put me on the map,” Bush said. “It was kind of my coming-out party, when I really started getting a lot of notoriety.”

Bush, who strongly considered attending Notre Dame, talked about the stadium’s “great atmosphere … you can feel the tradition there. It can be an intimidating place, but our job is to quiet the crowd as soon as possible.”

Carroll couldn’t be more excited about what he calls a “wonderful matchup for us and Notre Dame and people who love college football.”

But he knows his team enters the game with one significant disadvantage. The Irish were off last week.

“Without question it helps,” Carroll said. “It’s obviously a chance to zero in on your plan and it gives you time to make decisions on what you want to do. And it’s more time to practice the stuff you’re going to play.”