Notre Dame's Key Matchups in 2009

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

OT Chalres Brown, G Alex Parsons, C Kristofer O'Dowd, T Butch Lewis, and G Jeff Byers are all back for USC, protecting their raw QB while he tries to find his receiving core that is still full of talent will be a major deciding factor in this game.

Notre Dame, with its new, imaginative defence using blitz packages and interchangeable defensive personnel, will do everything it can to get to the quarterback. Brian and Toryan Smith will bring the pressure from the linebacker core. Ethan Johnson and promising Kapron Lewis-Moore will try and disrupt the offense from the Notre Dame trench.

Game Seven: Notre Dame v Boston College

Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen v Boston College's defensive line:

The reason I put this match-up here is as much to do with what Boston College lost as it does with who they have. Losing BJ Raji and Ron Brace are massive losses, and how Boston College cope with these losses is going to be a big reason for there success or failure.

However, Boston College will be returning defensive ends Alex Albright and Jim Ramella, and although they are returning a lot of starters in the back seven from last season, the success of the defensive line will automatically reflect on the success of the whole defence.

Boston College ranked 18th in pass defence last season, and fifth in pass defence. Although a lot of that comes from the pressure that was put on opposing QBs, thanks in large part to the defensive line.

Jimmy Clausen will have to be at his best, but if he gets time in the pocket he has the receivers who can go man on man and come down with the ball. Golden Tate will be able to get behind the Boston defence, and Michael Floyd has shown that he can come down with the ball in traffic.

Game Eight: Notre Dame v Washington State (In San Antonio Texas)

Notre Dame's Armando Allen v Washington State ground defence:

What can you say about the Washington State ground defence—last season it was truly awful. I think that actually might be kind to the Washington State defence as well. They were slow, they offered little pressure, teams would hand the ball off time and time again, and come away with the same result. First Down

Allen rushed for 585 yards last season and 3 TDs. He showed glimpses of being a very good back, if he is given the room then he can really pick up the yards. If Washington State doesn't get pressure in the backfield, Allen could have a career day here.

Like in many of these match-ups, the Notre Dame offensive line is going to be the key.

If all goes well for Notre Dame, this match could be an embarrassment for Washington State and a massive day for the Notre Dame runners.

Game Nine: Notre Dame v Navy

Navy's ground attack v Notre Dame's defence:

There is something about Navy that just makes you think that they will be among the leaders, if not the best in the nation on the ground. That's what they do and that's there game.

They averaged over 300 yards a game on the ground last season, and although they lost some serious talent in the running game in Shaun White, you just know that they are again going to produce a 1000+ yard rusher. That guy could come from anywhere, but they have talent in the form of Bobby Doyle and Alex Teich.

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