2008 record: 7-6
2008 bowl: Beat Hawaii 49-21 in Hawaii Bowl
2008 final AP/coaches' ranking: Unranked
Coach: Charlie Weis (29-21, 5th year)
Offensive coordinator: Charlie Weis (1st year)
Co-defensive coordinators: Jon Tenuta (2nd year); Corwin Brown (2nd year)
Returning offensive starters: 9
Returning defensive starters: 6
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (grass; 80,795)
2009 schedule: [view]
2009 roster: [view]
2008 statistics: [view]

Offensive: At Notre Dame, the offense couldn’t run and it certainly couldn’t hide. Last season, the Fighting Irish rushed for 109.7 yards per game, the second-worst performance in Notre Dame history (the worst — 75.3 per game — occurred in 2007). It seems odd that Notre Dame’s offensive line could be painted as a strength, but it’s loaded with seniors who have been through the wars. It has improved and that trend will need to continue if the Irish are to exploit their strengths. Beleaguered junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen ran for his life as a freshman (58 sacks), but it got a lot better last season. He has exceptional targets in junior Golden Tate and sophomore Michael Floyd. There are four experienced running backs, but none with franchise potential. A newcomer, such as freshman Cierre Wood, could emerge.

Defensive: Jon Tenuta, the defensive coordinator, is known for using the blitz quite liberally. That tendency may be needed more than ever. The Irish are young or inexperienced at many positions. The spotlight is on junior nose tackle Ian Williams and sophomore defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore, a pass-rushing specialist who sat out last season. The linebacker jobs seem wide open and training camp will be important, but freshman blue-chipper Manti Te’o could step in immediately. The secondary’s strength is senior strong safety Kyle McCarthy and junior free safety Harrison Smith.

Specialists: The Irish feel much better about junior place-kicker Brandon Walker, who converted 13 of his last 17 field-goal attempts (after missing six of his first seven). The return game needs a boost — and the speedy Tate could be the man for that job.

Video   Charlie's angel Oct 31: Charlie Weis faces lofty expectations as the Irish head coach, but no Saturday contest compares to his job as a family man. NBC Sports

Coaching: Since Charlie Weis took Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn-led teams to two consecutive BCS bowls, the Fighting Irish have gone 10-15. The cries to replace Weis reached a fever pitch last season, but the coach seemingly weathered the storm. Weis will revert back to calling the plays, so his performance will be front and center.

Heisman Hopefuls: A highly-recruited quarterback headed to Notre Dame usually means Heisman consideration, right? It hasn’t worked out that way for Clausen and it may never happen.

Game of the year Oct. 17 vs. USC If Notre Dame fans had a wish list, it would start with an outstanding performance in this classic inter-sectional rivalry, which doesn’t even seem like a rivalry any more. USC has won seven straight times. If Notre Dame wants to turn around its fortunes in a big way, here’s the place to start.

Overview: This is the season for Notre Dame to make its move back to BCS contention. There’s an experienced quarterback in Clausen, an all-senior offensive line, a defense with potential and a more forgiving schedule. Notre Dame won’t wake up the echoes, but a season with eight or nine victories should get things moving in a more positive direction.

Next up: No. 23 Kansas

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