It's college football's proving ground, a permanent home for college football's most storied team (Notre Dame), a temporary layover for some programs before conference affiliation takes flight (South Florida), and a reality check for teams not quite worthy of Division I-A status.
Seven teams will compete this season as independents, with five (Central Florida, Navy, Notre Dame, Utah State and South Florida) holding full Division I-A status, and two (Connecticut and Troy State) playing as partial members. The Huskies and Trojans will count as Division I-A opponents on the schedule, although the programs are not fully accredited. For the six teams playing without golden helmets, the 2001 season represents a chance to learn, improve and remain competitive.
The best bet to play the spoiler role among the independents is UCF, a talent-rich squad that stunned Alabama last season en route to a 7-4 campaign. Another intriguing team is Utah State, which rejected the Sun Belt Conference's membership invitation and opted to compete on its own. With a soft schedule and a potent offense, the Aggies could have leagues knocking at their door come December. While Navy and South Florida could struggle this season, a revitalized Notre Dame squad led by QB Matt LoVecchio looks to throw its name in with the nation's best.
|  | | QB Matt LoVecchio threw 11 TDs last season for the Irish. |
Game of the Year: Irons and the Notre Dame defense have a chance at retribution in the season's first game, a Sept. 8 showdown at Nebraska. Last September, the Cornhuskers pulled out a 27-24 overtime win in one of the year's most exciting games. The game features an excellent QB matchup, with LoVecchio facing off with option specialist Eric Crouch.
Offensive Player of the Year: Notre Dame QB Matt LoVecchio. Freshman rarely set foot on the gridiron, period. First-year quarterbacks may see a snap or two in garbage time. As for those young arms at Notre Dame, being allowed to dress for the game is considered an honor. Well, Matt LoVecchio was quite an exception last season, leading Notre Dame's seven-game winning streak to round out the regular season. The poised LoVecchio had an 11-1 touchdown-interception ratio, marching the Irish into the red zone with ease. With several key performers returning, LoVecchio should flourish this season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Notre Dame DE Grant Irons. After a dislocated shoulder kept him out of last year's final 10 games -- including the 41-9 pummeling by Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl -- Irons will be rearing to go in 2001. As a team captain for the second consecutive season, the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Irons will take charge of the Irish pass rush this year. Irons, a converted linebacker who has packed on 25 pounds, has 20 starts under his belt. His experience and talent anchors a strong Irish line this season.
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