Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2000 record: 9-3.
Coach: Bob Davie (5th season, 30-19).
Starters returning: 7 offense, 6 defense, 2 kickers.
Outlook: After a humiliating 5-7 campaign two years ago, Notre Dame is starting to regain the familiar luster of past years. The Irish are led by a talent-stocked senior class featuring captain DE Grant Irons and OLB Rocky Boiman. Yet it is a Notre Dame's sophomore who leads a high-powered offense that averaged 31.3 points per game last season.
QB Matt LoVecchio showed shades of Montana and Theismann as he engineered the Irish winning streak, tossing 11 touchdowns and only one interception. LoVecchio teams up with leading rusher Julius Jones to lead a disciplined and experienced offense that set an NCAA record for fewest turnovers (8). After 20 career starts, Irons returns to the Irish line after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury against Nebraska last season. On the opposite sign of Notre Dame's front four is Anthony Weaver, a pass rushing terror who recorded eight sacks and two interceptions last season.
Keep an eye on: TB Julius Jones. With LoVecchio's scoring ability no longer a secret, Jones will need to post big-time numbers in his first season as the featured back. A dangerous punt and kickoff returner last season, Jones has the speed, strength and vision to bust some long gains this season. Behind one of the nation's best offensive lines, Jones appears ready to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him coming out of high school.
Key game: In a schedule crammed with first-rate opponents and classic rivalries, Notre Dame welcomes Tennessee to South Bend for the first time since 1991. Irons, Weaver and Co. will be tested against phenom Casey Clausen and the Volunteers' attack. The November 3 game will be key as the Irish face their final elite opponent before the postseason.
It's a good year if... Notre Dame returns to a BCS bowl. Notre Dame players and coaches know this is the year to regain a spot among the nation's best. If LoVecchio can feed off last year's success and shake off the Fiesta Bowl pummeling, the Irish offense will be tough to contain in 2000. Jones must draw defenders away from LoVecchio and provide a counterpunch when Notre Dame has the football. Irons returns to an experienced defense that has the depth to improve on last season's major strides. The Irish will be tested with their customary unforgiving slate, but a 10-win season seems to be a realistic and attainable goal.
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