What a Turnaround It'll Be: Five Points on Notre Dame Football in 2008

Look for the passing game to feed off the running game in the 2008 campaign.  With a talented receiving corps and a healthy, stronger Jimmy Clausen, the air attack should be a force to be reckoned with.  Sophomore Duval Kamara is the top returning receiver for the Irish.  Look for the 6'5", 215-pound WR to build off a good freshman year.

Behind Kamara will be slot receivers Golden Tate and David Grimes, and possession receiver Robby Paris, who is very similar to Jeff Samardzija.  Grimes brings experience to the table, while Tate is a big play receiver with great speed.  Tate will be matured and more of a complete player in '08.

Don't forget about the freshman class, which brings in three very talented receivers in Michael Floyd, Deion Walker, and John Goodman.  Floyd will have the most immediate impact.  He reminds a lot of people of Tim Brown, but it is a little too soon to be making those comparisons.  Don't be surprised if Walker and Goodman get serious playing time as well.

The TE position is loaded with Mike Ragone and Will Yeatman, assuming he returns, and freshmen Kyle Rudolph and Joseph Fauria.  Ragone will most likely be the starter, being the most complete TE.  Yeatman is more of a blocker but has a good pair of hands.  Ragone reminds me of Mark Bavaro.  Both freshmen are ready for the college game, though I expect Rudolph to be the one to play first.

Of course, the maturation of Clausen will be very important.  Clausen has added 20 pounds of muscle, is fully healthy, and has a year under his belt.  Jimmy will be fine—he is a very good quarterback looking to break out.

5. Swagger

I have been able to spend a lot of time with this team, and they have something about them, that IT.  Maybe they're pissed off because of last year.  I don't know what it is, but they have it.  I feel this is a very improved and a very good football team.

We will really know where they stand when the Wolverines come to town Sep. 13.  Personally I would have no problem with players getting fired up and getting into a little tussle with Michigan.

For the Irish, I think anything less than 8-4 is unacceptable.  I feel there is a very good chance ND goes 9-3, 10-2, or maybe even 11-1, with possible losses coming to Michigan State, BC, Pitt, UNC, and USC.

But hey, if ND is rolling into USC 11-0, who knows what could happen?  It is unlikely, but it could happen.

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