Joe Raymond / AP

Notre Dame linebacker Brandon Hoyte became a key cog in the Irish defense this season not only through his play, but also through his leadership, writes Pat Haden of NBCSports.com. 

LeVoir as consistent as they come
Weis says one of the greatest compliments that can be given to an offensive lineman is to say he is a very consistent player. And that's exactly what the Notre Dame coach says of fifth-year senior Mark LeVoir.

LeVoir came into this season as the most experienced player on a senior-laden offensive line. In the two seasons prior to this one he made 24 starts and logged over 700 minutes of game action. In 2003 he started at left guard, and last year and this year he's been the starter at right tackle.

At 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, LeVoir has had his best season this year. In addition to his great size, strength, and athleticism, he has good hands and quick feet. He's a dominant force who gives opposing defensive players fits.

Stovall simply superb
Up until this season, Maurice Stovall had not lived up to the hype that surrounded his arrival in South Bend. But under Weis the 6-foot-5 receiver has made tremendous strides, and is enjoying a career year. He's been a completely different player in 2005 then he was in his prior three years with the Irish.

In Notre Dame's last three wins, he has caught eight touchdown passes. He's second on the team in catches (50), yards (796), and average receiving yards per game (88.4).

In Notre Dame's win over BYU, Stovall set single-game school records for catches (14) and touchdown receptions (4). Only five players in Notre Dame history have surpassed 200 receiving yards in a game, and with his 207 reception yards against BYU, Stovall joined that short list.

His huge senior season has lifted Stovall into the top seven in Notre Dame career receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

I give Stovall a lot of credit as he has fought through some criticism over his production in the two seasons prior to this season. What he's done this year will likely make him a first-day pick in the NFL draft.

Weis had faith in seniors
One of the first things Weis did upon getting hired by Notre Dame last December was to tell the seniors he wasn't writing them off. He said he wasn't looking to the future for success, but instead was planning on winning this season. And he made it clear the seniors would have to play a big part in that winning.

The Irish seniors have gone through several transitions that have come about through coaching changes at Notre Dame. They hung in here, and now they have a good chance to play in a Bowl Championship Series bowl game. That certainly is the way to go out in style.

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Joe Raymond / AP

Who will be the starting QB?

After Notre Dame's Blue and Gold game, it appears to be a three-way race for the starting QB position. Keith Arnold breaks down this race and each area of the offense as he projects the opening day starting lineup.

A Blue and Gold glimpse

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