 2008 Notre Dame Preview To say the 2007 season was a disaster for the Fighting Irish would be a monumental understatement. It was no secret that Notre Dame would have some major growing pains after losing all of their skill players on offense from the previous season. But no one predicted the team would fall as far as they did a year ago. Head Coach Charlie Weis has to be on the hot seat and his troops will have to rebound in 2008 or things may get ugly in South Bend. Head Coach-Charlie Weis
2007 record-3-9 2007 REVIEW
The first five contests set the tone for the entire season for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish started off 0-5 and the losses were ugly to say the least. The offense was basically invisible and the defense couldn't bail them out. After beating UCLA for their first win of he season, things got even worse. USC blanked the Irish and then the impossible happened. Notre Dame lost to Navy in triple overtime. The last time that happened, Roger Staubach was the quarterback for the Middies. Wins over Duke and Stanford in the last two games may have helped the players regain some pride, but not enough to make everyone forget how ugly the season truly was. TEAM MVP
This one could go to any number of players, but the offense will go as far as the offensive line will take it. A year ago, the line play was a nightmare. The front wall couldn't protect anybody or blow open any holes. If Notre Dame is to get back on track, it begins up front with a more experienced O-line. QUARTERBACK
Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen may have come to South Bend with a lot of high expectations, but not much went right for him in 2007. He had a line that failed him miserably and a group of new faces at the skill positions. Add the fact that he was less than healthy and the die was cast. Clausen got beat up. He threw only one touchdown in the first seven games and then missed two games later in the season. To his credit, when Clausen came back, he played well. In the final three games, he threw six touchdown passes and only one interception. With more experience all across the board, there is room for hope, but it begins with the offensive line. If Clausen is under constant attack, it may be another long season. Senior Evan Sharpely is the backup and has experience if Clausen goes down. He has the tools to get the job done with some help from his teammates. RUNNING BACK
Sophomore Robert Hughes looks to be the frontrunner at starting tailback. Hughes came on strong at the end of last season, and looks to be the man, but he'll still have to fend off junior James Aldridge. Both Hughes and Aldridge possess good power, but also have deceptive speed. Senior Asaph Schwapp will be the bulldozer at fullback blowing open holes for the tailbacks. Schwapp won't get a lot of carries, but he'll make his presence known as a blocker. Sophomore Armando Allen is a speed demon who will bring another dimension to the running game. Sophomore Luke Schmidt will back up Schwapp. He is a bit more versatile and is also listed as the backup at tight end. WIDE RECEIVER
Senior David Grimes was slowed by injury in 2007, but hauled in 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Grimes represents the speed threat in the receiving corps. Sophomore Duval Kamara had 32 catches for 357 yards and four touchdowns a year ago. He gives the Irish quarterbacks a big target at 6-5, 220. Junior George West caught 21 passes for 172 yards last season and will look to improve on those numbers. Junior Robby Parris is another big target at 6-4, 210. He chipped in with 29 receptions for 361 yards and a touchdown last year. Sophomore Golden Tate should also be a factor in the passing attack. Senior D.J. Hord has left the team. Sophomore Mike Ragone takes over at tight end for the departed John Carlson. OFFENSIVE LINE
The unit may have shouldered the brunt of the blame for the woes on offense. They allowed the most sacks in the nation and were never able to consistently open holes for the backs. Gone is John Sullivan, but four players with starting experience return. Junior right tackle Sam Young has started in 25 straight games and is viewed as the leader of the group. Senior Paul Duncan will man the opposite tackle. Both players have good size but will have to live up to their potential. Senior Mike Turkovich will return at left guard. Junior Eric Olsen will be back at right guard but will have to fend off junior Chris Stewart for reps. Junior Dan Wenger will take over for the departed Sullivan at center. Senior Thomas Bemenderfer and sophomores, Matt Romine and Taylor Dever are the top reserves. There will be a great deal of pressure for this group to redeem itself after last year. Only time will tell if they can. DEFENSE DEFENSIVE LINE
Gone is Trevor Laws, who was, by far, the best defensive player on the team a year ago. Junior Morrice Richardson appears to be the player the Irish are looking at to replace Laws. He is smaller, but quicker than Laws, but filling those shoes is a tall order. Pat Kuntz is coming back, but summer drills will tell if he can put sophomore Ian Willams on the bench. Senior Justin Brown will man the other end position. He will have to create more pressure to be a factor. Junior Paddy Mullen, sophomore Emeka Nwankwo and freshman Sean Cwynar are the top reserves up front. LINEBACKERS
Senior Maurice Crum Jr. will be the leader of the linebacking corps at the Jack linebacker spot. Crum finished fifth on the team in tackles and second in interceptions a year ago. Sophomore Kerry Neal returns on the weakside after getting experience as a starter a year ago. Junior Toryan Smith will replace Joe Brockington at Mike linebacker. Smith has shown flashes of brilliance in the past and his time is now. Sophomore Brian Smith will take over at strongside linebacker. While Crum is the star of the group, keep an eye on both Toryan and Brian Smith. They could surprise. Seniors Scott Smith, Steve Quinn and Kevin Washington and junior John Ryan provide backup. Ryan could be the sleeper of the group. SECONDARY
The secondary returns two players with starting experience. Gone is longtime safety Tom Zbikowski. But now the spotlight will shine on senior free safety David Bruton. Bruton appears ready for a breakout campaign in 2008 after leading the team in interceptions and finishing third in tackles a year ago. Senior Kyle McCarthy takes over at strong safety for Zbikowski. At one corner will be senior Terrail Lambert. Lambert is the shutdown corner for the Irish. Darrin Walls has left school so sophomore Gary Gray will fight for the starting role at the opposite corner. Junior Raeshon McNeil will back up Lambert. Juniors Sergio Brown, Leonard Gordon and Jashaad Gaines and sophomore Harrison Smith will be the top reserves at safety. SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore Brandon Walker will return as placekicker and will need to improve to keep his job. Junior Eric Maust takes over the role as punter with Geoff Price gone. David Grimes appears to be the new punt return specialist with Zbikowski gone. Armando Allen is the frontunner for the kickoff return duties. OUTLOOK
One can talk about Clausen, Hughes, the receivers and so on. But as unflashy as they may be, the offensive line is the key to a successful season for Notre Dame. This is a team that averaged a meager 16 points per game. The Irish finished dead last in the nation in total offense by averaging 75 yards rushing and 167 yards passing per game. And the line gave up more sacks than any other team. If the group comes together, the Irish can turn things around. If not, it could be another frustrating season. Losing Laws on defense will hurt to say the least, but there are solid players in the back eight, which is room for optimism. For most programs, last year may have been viewed as a rebuilding year. But there is no such thing as a rebuilding year at Notre Dame. And whether you love them or hate them, the Irish don't duck anyone when the schedules are made. In their favor, the Irish play four of their first five games at home. The big early test will undoubtedly be against Michigan. With what appears to be an overhauled Wolverine squad, the matchup may not be so one-sided and a win would be a big confidence booster. If the Irish can gel quickly and get off to a hot start, it will only benefit them later in the season when they have to play road games at Boston College and USC. There is no lack of experience to use as an excuse this time around. Notre Dame may not be BCS material, but they have enough to be much better than they were a year ago.
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