Notre Dame's Key Matchups in 2009

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

A lot is resting on Notre Dame's defence. They need to keep the games close and let Clausen go to work. If they allow the team to get down, then Clausen will be picking up the pieces late and throwing interceptions all over the field.

Pressure is the key here, and how fast the linebackers can move up and fill the gaps in the line will be the difference maker in this historic game.

Game 10: Notre Dame @ Pittsburgh

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd and Golden Tate v Pittsburgh's Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappell.

There were match-ups all over the field here—in the trenches, the running game against an impressive Pittsburgh front seven. Even special teams could be important in this game, but one of the match-ups that interests me most is the wide receivers against the cornerbacks.

Michael Floyd was the stand out player last season. As a freshman he came in and produced 48 receptions for 719 yards and 7 TDs. He should be one of the players most Notre Dame fans are excited to see this season.

Golden Tate on the other hand had 58 receptions, 1080 yards, and 10 TDs.

For me, Berry and Chappell are very underrated on the national stage. They have the potential to play zone or man-to-man and perform at a high level. If they can keep the two biggest weapons in Notre Dame's receiving game quiet, it could be a long day for Irish fans.

Game 11: Notre Dame v Connecticut

Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph v Connecticut Middle linebackers:

I was looking for something a little bit different here, and I thought about the strengths of UConn last season: its running game and its defence, particularly in the middle of their linebacking core.

I thought about going with the Notre Dame receiving core in general, however the likes of Floyd and Tate have already gotten enough publicity so lets go with Kyle Rudolph.

Rudolph presented himself as a real threat last season, at 6'6" and 252 pounds, he is a big body on the end of that line and can block some rush. However, the biggest factor last season was his ability to go over the middle. Although he caught just 29 receptions for 340 yards, he was a valuable over the middle threat for Clausen. He showed that he can catch a bunch with five receptions for 70 yards against Stanford.

Although the Irish have Mike Ragone and Will Yeatman, after Rudolph's performances as a freshman, he should get more passes thrown his way.

UConn will have Scott Lucas and Greg lloyd back for the 2009 season, and both players have playmaking ability. They have very good awareness in their pass coverage, and if Clausen is unable to find his favorite target over the short distance in the middle of the field, he might try to start forcing the ball into coverage.

Game 12: Notre Dame @ Stanford

Notre Dame's offence v Stanford's offence:

Here I see two offences that are capable of putting up points. Stanfords defence was not great last year. However, they are returning a lot of starters from that side of the ball, and have every opportunity to improve in that area.

If Stanford are going to impress on offence i think that they should be starting freshman Andrew Luck. Tavita Prichard has shown a Jekyll and Hyde type personality, at times he makes some very good throws, some very good decisions. On other occasions he makes some stupid mistakes, and makes horrible decisions.

He will have Whalen and Baldwin back in the receiving core, and his offensive line have every chance to be a very good unit. However all that will go to waste if they can not get Prichard's mistakes cut down. Luck had a good spring and i fully expect him to be the starter come November 28th when this game will take place.

I don't think I need to go back over Notre Dame's offence again here. They have a bunch of talent on paper, and if they can put it on the field, this could be a glorious game to finish off a good season and cement a BCS bid.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?