Many writers and preseason polls have Notre Dame as the #1 team in the country. Most years this is a prelude to disaster for the team picked to win it all, as USC was in 2005, although it was a very near miss. After going 6-6 ion 2004, in 2005 with basically the same players they went 9-3 and their offense generated 36 ppg and over 477 yards per game on offense, and gave USC the scare of a lifetime in a game they should have won at home. The fighting Irish are back in the national spotlight thanks to Charlie Weis as head coach, and some shifting of players and the attitude adjustment made by his coaching staff, he was worth the price to get him.

The KEY for Notre Dame this year is the amount of returning starters, especially at skill positions. They return 8 on offense and 9 on defense in 2006. Brady Quinn at QB is the most important of all of them with his top receiver Samardzija coming back and Rhema McKnight, the leading pass catcher from 2003, off of injury for all of 2004 and most of 2005. The running game is bolstered by Darius Walker, an 1100 yard back from 2005, along with outstanding back-up Travis Thomas. With all 4 lineman returning from a great offensive line, I do not see much of a drop off in offensive production for the Irish this season, and at 36 ppg last year, it makes them a formidable foe for any defense to take them on. No doubt the top offensive unit in the nation in my mind.

The big concern for the Irish is defense, and when you have 9 returning starters, on the surface it looks be a good year, but this unit gave up huge plays last year, including the Bowl game where Ohio State went up and down the field on them in a loss. Replacing 2 key linebacker losses is a top priority, in order to stop the run. They are deep with players at linebacker, but short on experience and incoming freshamn Toryan Smith may be seen on the roster. The line play at rushing the passer and stopping the run at the point of entry on the line will be a top priority in fall camp. This defensive line was not dominant at stopping the run or sacking the quarterback in 2005, and in order to maintain an undefeated record and a shot at the national title, this has to change. The secondary is solid with all 4 starters returning and Tom Zbikowski is back, a part time boxer and leader of the defense, who also is a special teams guru and playmaker, they are solid here.

Scheduling is always an issue for Notre Dame, but they get Penn State and Michigan at home in back to back weeks, have UCLA at home in mid-season and end it with USC on the road at seasons end, one of the marquee games of the year in College football. They have to travel to Michigan State to avenge an OT at home last year, and I expect them to make a statement in that game, so a line under 10 in that one will be worth a look. Early on, I think the totals in Notre Dame games will also be worth a look as the offense will produce and the defense is likely to still give up some numbers until they gel as a unit and get it together.

Opening up with Georgia Tech on the road is not a tall chore, as they lost a ton of guys last year, but still opening up on the road is always a dangerous spot, especially when you are Notre Dame. If they can weather the storm playing good teams at home and beating them, the showndown in November against USC in LA, should be for a shot at the national title. A good bet is Notre Dame to reach the top of the mountain and play in BCS Championship game this season. The ranking is well deserved in my opinion.