KEY EARLY-SEASON GAME: vs. Michigan, Sept. 13 -- The Wolverines won this matchup 38-0 last season but a lot has changed since then, namely the Wolverines coach. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez will be looking for a big, early victory with his new-to-Ann Arbor spread offense while Notre Dame desperately needs a momentum-building victory to point the way back to a winning season.

THE FIGHTING IRISH WILL SUCCEED IF
A speedier and more athletic defense, boosted by the addition of former Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta, is a more take-charge unit, capable of slowing down the better teams on the schedule. Look for Notre Dame to be more aggressive, blitz more and be more variable on a unit that allowed nearly 29 points a game last season.

THE FIGHTING IRISH WILL FAIL IF
The four returning starters on the offensive line don't form a cohesive unit that better protects quarterback Jimmy Clausen. There is reasonable talent and experience here, led by junior right tackle Sam Young, but the lack of physical play up front last season was alarming. A big jump in production is possible.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think all three of these running backs can play. I don't think there's any question that you can put any of those three guys out there and you'd have a chance of winning in the game." -- Coach Charlie Weis, on his tailback trio of James Aldridge, Armando Allen and Robert Hughes.

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