Notre Dame Football: Power Ranking Top Offenses Fighting Irish Will Face in 2012

After learning that tentative starting cornerback Lo Wood was lost for the season, the Fighting Irish defense immediately became even more fearful of a daunting 2012 schedule.

Brian Kelly's squad is tasked with facing a slew of the nation's top offenses, an even more difficult challenge without Wood. A thin Irish secondary became even thinner after losing the junior cornerback, and will now rely on a trio of untested, unproven cornerbacks.

However, a stout front seven may be enough to offset a relatively weak secondary.

Let's have a look at each opposing offense on Notre Dame's 2012 schedule.

12. Boston College

The Boston College Eagles finished the 2011 regular season ranked 113th nationally in points-per-game at 15.7, a figure that prompted head coach Frank Spaziani to bring in Doug Martin as offensive coordinator.

However, Martin walked into a disadvantageous situation, as star running back Montel Harris was dismissed from the program after multiple violations of team rules. The Eagles will now rely on the trio of Rolandan Finch, Andre Williams and Tahj Kimble at tailback.

Yet, the most crucial aspect of the Eagles offense will be the play of junior quarterback Chase Rettig, who completed an abysmal 53.6 percent of his passes last season. Rettig also threw nine interceptions, compared to only 12 touchdown passes. The most shocking figure from Rettig was his 1,960 passing yards, only a 722-yard difference from his freshman season.

Rettig was expected to take significant strides during his sophomore season, but remained largely the same player that he was as a freshman in 2010. If the Eagles offense is to improve upon its points-per-game figure, Rettig will need to become a playmaker for Boston College.

11. Wake Forest

Wake Forest typically isn't a threat to hang scary numbers on the scoreboard, and this season doesn't look much different for the Demon Deacons.

Sure, Wake Forest has Tanner Price returning at quarterback, but he'll have three sophomores starting along the offensive line, which continues to be a huge concern for head coach Jim Grobe.

Josh Harris will lead the Demon Deacons' rushing attack, after finishing second on the team in rushing yards a season ago with 432 on 101 carries. Harris also reached the end zone on three occasions. Orville Reynolds and freshman Deandre Martin will also carry the ball for Grobe's squad.

Wake Forest will also look to improve upon a passing game that ranked 78th nationally at 367.8 yards-per-game. The Demon Deacons' passing attack will be largely helped by Terence Davis and Michael Campanaro, as well as junior tight end Spencer Bishop.

10. Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh offense has been through quite a whirlwind experience, as the Panthers went from a pro-style attack and a spread attack in two years under former head coaches Dave Wannstedt and Todd Graham.

This season, first-year head coach Paul Chryst has installed the physical, downhill running attack he ran so masterfully at Wisconsin as the Badgers' offensive coordinator.

Chryst is fortunate to have a number of starters returning on offense, particularly quarterback Tino Sunseri, running back Ray Graham and wide receivers Devin Street and Mike Shanahan. The offensive line will also be anchored by upperclassmen Cory King, Chris Jacobson, Ryan Schlieper and Ryan Turnley.

If the Panthers can effectively run the ball and set up play action, Chryst's offense may take full form in his first year in Pittsburgh.

9. Navy

The Navy offense, a triple-threat attack that has given Notre Dame fits in past seasons, will be led by first-year starter Trey Miller at quarterback. That's welcome news to Fighting Irish fans, who were haunted by former quarterback Ricky Dobbs in 2010.

The good news for the Fighting Irish defense is that the group shut down the Mids' offense last season in a 56-14 conquest at Notre Dame Stadium.

Whether or not the Midshipmen will put up more points this season, after an entire summer to prepare for Brian Kelly's squad, remains to be seen. Navy thrives off preparation, so the Irish defense may be in for quite a surprise in Dublin, Ireland on Sept. 1.

8. Purdue

In recent seasons, Notre Dame has done an excellent job of shutting down the Purdue offense, holding the Boilermakers to 12 and 10 points in the last two seasons, respectively.

The story may change this season, though.

Danny Hope's squad returns starting quarterback Caleb TerBush, although Robert Marve and Rob Henry will also see time at quarterback. Those three will be surrounded by weapons, as running back Akeem Shavers and wide receivers Gary Bush, Antavian Edison and O.J. Ross return for the Boilermakers.

TerBush had an awful start against the Irish last season, throwing an interception on the game's first play from scrimmage. He'll likely have that play in the back of his mind when he and his Purdue team take the field at Notre Dame Stadium on Sept. 8.

7. Miami (FL)

When the Fighting Irish meet the Miami Hurricanes on Oct. 6 in Chicago, they'll see a familiar face in Miami quarterback Stephen Morris, who started in the team's Sun Bowl matchup in December 2010.

Morris will have the luxury of handing off to senior tailback Mike James, who accumulated 275 rushing yards on 72 carries to go along with seven touchdowns last season. James leads a deep pack of running backs, comprised of Eduardo Clements, Duke Johnson and Dallas Crawford.

The Hurricanes also return receiver Allen Hurns, who hauled in 31 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns a season ago.

Al Golden's squad will be hindered by a relatively young offensive line that features three sophomore starters this season in right guard Jon Feliciano, center Shane McDermott, right tackle Malcolm Bunche, as well as freshman left tackle Ereck Flowers.

6. BYU

The BYU Cougars will be making their first trip to Notre Dame Stadium since the 2005 season, when Bronco Mendenhall's team scored three touchdowns in a 49-21 loss to the Fighting Irish.

It's likely that the Cougars will produce an even higher number this season, as quarterback Riley Nelson returns, as well as receivers Cody Hoffman, Ross Apo and J.D. Falslev. However, it's the running attack that powers the Cougars on a weekly basis. Joshua Quezada will start at running back for BYU this season, but will miss J.J. Di Luigi and Bryan Kariya.

5. Michigan State

The Michigan State offense never varies from season to season, as head coach Mark Dantonio makes no secret of his intent to pound the football with his stable of bruising running backs.

This season, the Spartan rushing attack will be spearheaded by Le'Veon Bell, a monster athlete, who checks in at 6'2" and 238 pounds. Bell finished the 2011 season with 982 rushing yards on 182 carries, and will likely eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season as the main ball-carrier for the Spartans.

The only question mark surrounding Dantonio's offense is first-year starting quarterback Andrew Maxwell. The plus for Maxwell is the experience he has had as Kirk Cousins' backup during the past two seasons. The lessons he learned from the current Washington Redskins quarterback are invaluable.

The Spartans are also faced with replacing B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell at the starting receiver spots, with Tony Lippett and Bennie Fowler filling their shoes.

4. Stanford

Stanford is entering the post-Andrew Luck era, which is, perhaps, the most unenviable task for any program in America. It's also a daunting task for Josh Nunes, who is the Cardinal's new starting quarterback.

Nunes enters the 2012 season with virtually no experience, as he has completed one of two pass attempts in his career. Luckily for Nunes, he'll have running back Stepfan Taylor, a 1,000-yard rusher in 2011, taking carries from the backfield.

Yet, the Cardinal will also be breaking in three first-year starters along the offensive line, as well as two new starting receivers.

Stanford won't have a tremendous drop off without Luck, as the program has become one that reloads, rather than rebuilds.

3. Michigan

In Notre Dame's ugliest defensive quarter of football last season, Denard Robinson took advantage of a clueless Irish secondary to throw for three touchdown passes, finishing the night with four total scores. His bottom line included 338 passing yards, 108 rushing yards and four overall scores.

In total, Denard Robinson is responsible for 948 yards of offense against Notre Dame in the team's last two meetings.

Brian Kelly and his staff will be damned if Robinson has a third consecutive astounding performance against the Irish this season.

The only weakness around Robinson is an offensive line with three new starters this season. However, the Wolverines return two experienced receivers in Roy Roundtree and Jeremy Gallon. The running back position will be a deep one once again, with Fitz Touissant, Vincent Smith and Thomas Rawls.

2. Oklahoma

Bob Stoops' Oklahoma squad will, once again, be led by quarterback Landry Jones. The Artesian, New Mexico native, struggled last season, throwing 15 interceptions.

Things won't be any easier this season, as Jones will be without star receivers Trey Franks and Jaz Reynolds, who were suspended indefinitely from the program. According to SoonerScoop.com, neither Franks nor Reynolds are listed on the depth chart at receiver.

Penn State transfer Justin Brown and Trey Metoyer are listed as the starters at receiver.

The running back position is deep, though, with Dominique Whaley and Brennan Clay toting the rock for the Sooners this season.

1. USC

It's no secret that Lane Kiffin and his USC Trojans possess the nation's most lethal offense entering the 2012 season.

The Trojans received a tremendous early Christmas present on December 22, when quarterback Matt Barkley announced that he would be returning for his senior season. As a junior, Barkley amassed 3,528 passing yards, 39 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions.

To think that Barkley could improve on those figures should be a terrifying thought for USC opponents.

Add in the fact that the Trojans return 1,000-yard running back Curtis McNeal and 1,000-yard receivers Marqise Lee and Robert Woods, and you can see how the 2012 Trojan offense will be one for the record books.