Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish is one of the most storied programs in college football. The school has won 11 consensus national championships and has compiled over 800 wins. Legendary coaches like Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, and Ara Parseghian have all won multiple national titles. The Notre Dame program has produced the largest number of players to play in the NFL. The last national championship came in 1988 under head coach Lou Holtz. In recent years, the program has lost some of its elite status due to stringent academic admissions and parody. Current head coach Charlie Weis appears determined to return the Irish to the top of college football.

The 2007 season will be a rebuilding year for the Irish. Gone are four-year starting quarterback Brady Quinn, starting running back Darius Walker and big play receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight. Sophomore Evan Sharpley is the projected starter at QB but highly touted freshman sensation Jimmy Clausen is a projected star. A brutal schedule will have the Irish struggling to reach a bowl game. The 2007 season will serve as more of a bridge to 2008 when the Irish should be a lot better.

Sep 1 - vs. Georgia Tech, 3:30 PM, ET

Sep 8 - at Penn State, 6:00 PM ET

Sep 15 - at Michigan, 3:30 PM ET

Sep 22 - vs. Michigan State, 3:30 PM, ET

Sep 29 - at Purdue, TBA

Oct 6 - at U-C-L-A, 8:00 PM ET

Oct 13 - vs. Boston College, 3:30 PM, ET

Oct 20 - vs. U-S-C, 3:30 PM, ET

Oct 27 - Open

Nov 3 - vs. Navy, 2:30 PM, ET

Nov 10 - vs. Air Force, 2:30 PM, ET

Nov 17 - vs. Duke, 2:30 PM, ET

Nov 24 - at Stanford, 3:30 PM ET

Head coach Charlie Weis is entering his third season in South Bend. His first two seasons were fairly successful, amassing a 19-6 record. He had previously served as offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots during their three Super Bowl triumphs. He is widely credited with developing QB Tom Brady. Weis is under a lot of pressure to win big in South Bend. The expectation is that freshman QB Jimmy Clausen will take the Irish back to the top.

The loss of nearly every offensive skill player presents the Irish with quite a challenge. TE John Carlsen returns as their best offensive weapon. On defense, safety Tom Zbikowski and linebacker Maurice Crum are proven playmakers. Defensive end Trevor Laws should put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.