Notre Dame Football: Burning Questions Fighting Irish Face for 2012

Like many teams, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have several dilemmas this offseason, and some must be fixed before any game is ever played. 

Brian Kelly has some big decisions to make this spring and summer, but the wrong move could cost his team greatly for the 2012 season. 

Notre Dame has a rough schedule this upcoming season, so preparation in the offseason will be extremely crucial. The last thing the Fighting Irish need is to flop once again in the spotlight after great hype is built up around them. 

With that said, here are a few burning questions the Fighting Irish face in 2012. 

Who will be the starting QB? 

The Fighting Irish have four solid options to choose from to start at quarterback for the 2012 season. Because of this, Kelly's head might explode this offseason.

Last year, Kelly waited until just before the season to announce his starter, and things didn't work out. If he's smart, Kelly will pick his starter sooner so the young kid has plenty of time to focus on the task at hand. 

Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix, Everett Golson and Gunner Kiel will give it their best in the coming months, hoping to be the 2012 starting QB. 

It's going to be a very interesting battle, one that is sure to create a ton of buzz among the Fighting Irish faithful. Everyone has a different opinion on who should start, but ultimately Kelly has to make the call.

It's a decision that could easily shape his future as head coach at Notre Dame. 

Prediction: Tommy Rees reclaims the starting job, although I think it should go to Hendrix. Again, expect a lot to change over the course of the next few months. Once practices really get underway and the spring game occurs, everyone's prediction could easily change. 

Who will replace Michael Floyd? 

It's hard to bounce back from losing an elite playmaker, but Notre Dame has to fight through it and hope one player emerges as a star. 

The Fighting Irish don't really need another Floyd if all of the wide receivers step up and do their part. Of course, Notre Dame won't be upset if somebody steps up in a major way to carry the load. 

Running back Cierre Wood will get a ton of the offensive focus, but he can't do it all by himself. Kelly needs one of his young receivers to make a name for himself. 

Tight end Tyler Eifert will continue to shine, but the wideouts have to perform at a high level as well. 

There's no guarantee it happens, but it's something that the Fighting Irish are hoping doesn't take too long. 

Prediction: Look for incoming freshman Justin Ferguson to get a lot of looks and for rising junior TJ Jones to make big plays. 

Will the Fighting Irish make a BCS bowl? 

Notre Dame hasn't played in a BCS bowl since being annihilated by LSU in the 2007 Sugar Bowl. 

This storied program is known for exceptional success, but recent years haven't been as kind to the Fighting Irish. A BCS bowl is something the fans dream about every year, and with Kelly calling the shots, the Fighting Irish are getting closer to reaching such a big game. 

With games against Michigan State, Michigan, Miami, Stanford, BYU, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and USC, Notre Dame is going to have a tough challenge in 2012. 

However, should they manage to come out victorious on the majority of these games they will certainly be in contention for a BCS bowl. A bowl committee won't hesitate to pick Notre Dame because the Fighting Irish have such a strong following. 

Plus, because it's been awhile since Notre Dame played in a BCS bowl, the Fighting Irish fans are sure to pack up and go to the game no matter where it is. It's uncertain if Notre Dame really has what it takes to make it through such an intense schedule. 

Prediction: No. The rigorous 2012 schedule Notre Dame has will be too much for this team to handle. While they hope to make it out unscathed, the Fighting Irish will suffer one too many losses to make the cut for a BCS bowl.