2. NOTRE DAME

2005 record: 9-3
2005 bowl: Lost to Ohio State 34-20 in Fiesta
2005 final AP/coaches' ranking: 9/11
Coach: Charlie Weis (9-3, 1 year)
Offensive coordinator: Michael Haywood (2nd year)
Defensive coordinator: Rick Minter (2nd year)
Offensive scheme: Pro set
Defensive scheme: 4-3
Returning offensive starters: 7
Returning defensive starters: 9
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Stadium: Notre Dame (grass, 80,795)
2006 schedule: [view]
2005 statistics: [view]

Offense: Two seasons ago, Brady Quinn looked like a confused big lug who couldn’t win a big game to save his life. Last season, Quinn morphed into the quarterback from central casting — charismatic, clutch, boyishly charming, strong-armed and unafraid to let it loose at all times. What numbers: 64.9 completion percentage, 32 touchdown passes, just seven interceptions. The transition has been startling, but it shows what the right offensive system can do for a player. Quinn has a giant target in senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija, who knows how to utilize his size (6-foot-5, 216) and get open. Although Notre Dame’s passing game gets most of the notice, you shouldn’t overlook junior running back Darius Walker, who raced for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Walker is a slasher who’s willing to become a workhorse, but he’ll likely be a supporting player in a pass-first offense. Four of the five starting offensive linemen played significant roles last season, but the unit must improve, particularly with its run blocking. Senior left tackle Ryan Harris has developed into the prototypical big-body pass blocker and his skills project well to the next level.

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn enters the season as the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

Defense: Here’s the question mark. Can this defense play to the level of a national champion? After all, at the Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State torched the Irish for 617 yards and made it look like child’s play. Senior strong safety Tom Zbikowski returns to anchor the secondary, which must get strong play from senior cornerbacks Mike Richardson and Ambrose Woodden. Junior Maurice Crum is, by far, the most experienced linebacker and probably will shift to the inside, where his leadership will be at a premium. The defensive line holds the key. With all four starters returning, the news should be positive. Run-stuffing tackles Trevor Laws and Derek Landri are reliable, but serious upside could be traced to the performance of senior end Victory Abiamiri, who must be spectacularly disruptive. 

Specialists: D.J. Fitzpatrick has departed, which means a new look for the kicking game. Geoff Price, who impressed coaches with his powerful leg, will handle the punting. Zbikowski is among the nation’s top punt returners.

Game of the year Oct. 17 vs. OU at Dallas What else? The ’Horns have taken control of the rivalry, having won three of the last four games, including last season’s 45-35 classic. Despite that outcome, it was the Sooners (and not the ’Horns) who captured the Big 12 South title in a controversial tiebreaking procedure. Oklahoma then played for a national title, while Texas was relegated to the Fiesta Bowl. You can bet that will add to this game’s emotional frenzy.

Coaching: You could tell something was different about Notre Dame, almost instantly, during last season’s opener at Pittsburgh. The play-calling was imaginative. The execution was crisp. In short, the Fighting Irish were back, and Coach Charlie Weis was leading the way. Weis, former offensive coordinator of the three-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, was rumored to be eying a quick jump back to the NFL. Then he signed a 10-year contract extension at Notre Dame. The fit seems perfect, particularly if Notre Dame becomes an annual contender for BCS bowl bids.

College football Two-man race with Tebow, McFadden

Heisman Hopefuls: Quinn has the gaudy statistics, the Notre Dame pedigree, the preseason momentum. And he’s on national TV more than a reality show. Unless Notre Dame falls off the radar, the Heisman might be Quinn’s award to lose.

Overview: There are signs that Notre Dame is back as a consistent threat to win the national title. Just examine the recruiting hauls of Weis. Even better, look at the on-field results. The Fighting Irish were a different team last season, one filled with confidence and swagger. Now we’ll see how Weis-led Notre Dame handles things after an offseason of buildup. By all accounts, if the defense gets on track, you’ll be hearing about the Irish when January’s big bowls are contested.

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