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Notre Dame and South Florida Have Date With Destiny: Notre Dame vs. South Florida Preview
Leprechaun Express: Notre Dame Football Intel Update Sept. 3, 2011

Notre Dame and South Florida promise to bring a dramatic effort by two strong programs on the rise into the 90-degree heat with a chance of storms in the House that Rockne Built in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Expect an epic battle for the ages with de facto national championship implications. The contest most likely could either (1) resemble the Notre Dame-Northwestern clash that went down to the wire, in Northwestern's breakthrough Rose Bowl year during the Lou Holtz era, or (2) an epic battle that Notre Dame explodes open to give itself an argument to crack the top-10 on its way to being a national champion Cindarella.

Both programs have a mix of seasoned veterans and top recruits led by outstanding veteran head coaches in the second year at their respective schools, Brian Kelly and Skip Holtz.

The latter might be the only opposing head coach least likely to be intimidated by Notre Dame. As already covered by innumerable articles, Holtz himself is a Notre Dame alum and former walk-on turned offensive coordinator, all under his father Lou, the most recent Notre Dame head coach to win national championships (including both the consensus national title in 1988 and additional non-consensus national titles, such as in 1989 and 1993).

Apparently unmentioned in the news articles, Holy Cross College, also in Notre Dame, Indiana, indicated on its facebook fanpage that Skip Holtz actually started out at Holy Cross before transferring to Notre Dame and becoming a walk-on. As such, Holtz followed a similar path to the famous Rudy, and would be one of a very small number of Notre Dame players to previously attend a junior college.

Meanwhile, after successful 2010 seasons that featured 8 wins and bowl victories at both schools, players and coaches are ready to turn the corner with what are now familiar systems for the respective programs.

The pressure probably is greatest on Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly. To be sure, South Florida as quickly established itself as a respected power, including flirting with top-10 rankings, despite only playing football since the 1990's. But South Florida might still find a visit to Notre Dame Stadium a bit dreamy, and might forgive Skip Holtz for losing there as long as the Bulls play well, especially given that a non-conference game will not impact their ability to compete for a so-called "BCS" bowl.

At the same time, Notre Dame once again has a top-20 ranking to defend, and Kelly learned the hard way how tough Notre Dame's schedule can be, and how important momentum is, especially early on when everyone is healthy.

While both coaches are doing well and still early in their tenures, also lingering in the background is the fact Skip Holtz always gets brought up when Notre Dame needs to find a new coach. Now, Holtz seems unlikely to replace Kelly, but down the line, if and when the Kelly era concludes, at a school where coaches traditionally are only there for 5 or 10 years, people might remember how Skip Holtz did in 2011 when thinking about his place on short-lists of successors.

Notre Dame on Cusp of Greatness?

Notre Dame continues the forward movement that started with Charlie Weis patiently rebuilding the roster, skils and conditioning, coming to completion last year, with Kelly continuing the forward push while also skillfully honing the transition to his own eclectic offensive system.

And, while conditioning was world class under Weis, Kelly might have the biggest emphasis on strength and endurance training of any college coach. This year's team, with many of the same players, appears even a bit bigger, faster and more pumped than in Kelly's first season. At the pep rally, one game captain mentioned how strength coach Paul Longo commmented that he can't wait to unleash this team on the college football world.

For 2011, Notre Dame has Dayne Crist back at starting quarterback, and a host of other players seemingly destined for greatness who have not yet made the leap to being All-American or NFL draf pick status.

Crist probably was the greatest drop-back quarterback talent in America in his recruiting class, and he is joined by the like of Michael Floyd and Manti Te'o as great prospects who have not yet been Heisman candidates (although Te'o made All-American). Then there are players like Tyler Eifert, who played well enough in relief of NFL draft pick Kyle Rudolph to raise the notion that he might not just be a solid back-up, but an heir apparent to the chain of historic tight ends at Tight End U.

Notre Dame's offense has a top quarterback, with quality depth in Tommy Rees and others. The wide receiver corps is a mix of veterans and new talent, with Floyd, tough-running Theo Riddick, TJ Jones, smooth and dependable Robby Toma and others. The running backs are veterans looking to break out as phenoms, led by Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray. The line is a mix of veterans and newcomers, but on average, bigger, stronger and more seasoned.

The Irish defense is whetting the appetities of prograsticators even more, however, not because it is expected to be better than the offense, but, in the phrasing of one commentator, to complement the offense more fully and completely. Paced by linebacker Te'o, the defense, even including some of the same players, promises to be bigger, faster and intense, with perhaps more quality depth.

Quality depth is important for Kelly and for Irish fans. Kelly implements well-time rotations as part of the flow of the game. And, in all fairness to Weis, in general nobody ever really understood or appreciated just how thin the ranks were several years, until the rebuilding could be completed and then carried further forward now.

Kelly promised at the pep rally that Notre Dame was going to be coming at South Florida every down, every quarter. And you should believe him.

South Florida Tough Opponent

Meanwhile, South Florida has a good, solid level of talent, years of good foundations for its program behind, and seasoned, expert coaching with Lou Holz serving undoubtedly as an informal consultant. The elder Holtz historically was one of the best game day coaches in America, as well as a great game-planner and motivator. He had at least one huge win where he admitted to drawing up a touchdown play on his napkin at breakfast that morning while mulling over all the factors for the two teams.

Kelly has credited Skip Holtz for having reliably stout defenses and consistent standards of excellence over the years. And Kelly has wisely pointed to South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels as a potent dual threat, with 4.55 speed in the 40 and passing skills.

Recall that Kelly is a competitive sportsman who happens to be a coach. And to be true Notre Dame Football, Kelly and his players have to be aware that Notre Dame's tradition is not just about having eras as a juggernaut, but also winning epic battles and showing almost unearthly heroic character as a small school underdog prevailing over all odds.

Like last year, Notre Dame has a net tougher overall schedule than anybody in the SEC, and cannot survive or become a champion without being inspired to go out do something that leaves jaws dropping against all odds, and to hit until there's no hit left, then hit harder.

Expect the Irish offense to rise to the occasion, and realize that they do not have a chance unless they play their guts out, in true BK fashion, every down.

Last year, the South Florida signal-caller was not entirely consistent. Expect the Irish defense to bring pressure and treat every down like a potential game-breaker. And if they get some turnovers, look for them to act like they expeted the ball to come into their hands, and head for the races.

Even the kickers should be interesting. Legs are loose and air is very light in 100-degree heat, and Notre Dame has some cannons for legs in its kicking corps. The Irish might have three kickers with potential NFL talent, and they are letting the freshman handle kickoffs, who has a reputation for kicking through the end zone.

South Florida's a great team, and they can beat Notre Dame, but expect the Irish to be too pumped and too deep to let this opportunity get by them. If they play hard every down, look for an Irish win over a South Florida team that might still head to a BCS bowl.

Depth Chart What's New - Notre Dame Offense vs. South Florida Defense - Notre Dame Defense vs. South Florida Offense - Notre Dame vs. South Florida Special Teams

Depth Chart: What's New

:: Dayne Crist returns as starting quarterback after knee surgery and successful rehab
:: wide receiver and Wildcat quarterback Theo Riddick is the starting return man on both punts and kickoffs; note that Riddick has speed but also, like Tommy Zbikowski and Rocket Ismail, appears to be a very strong runner as well
:: Bennett Jackson and Austin Collinsworth, who made names for themselves as kickoff gunners with blistering speed last year, before also breaking into roles as return men, are now on the depth chart in the defensive secondary
:: freshman Kyle Brindza joins the team starting at kickoffs, with a past reputation for consistently very deep kicks
:: freshmen also are in the two-deep at wide receiver, offensive and defensive line, and linebacker
:: Notre Dame otherwise has a very experienced offense with upperclassmen and others with game experience at the skilled positions, as well as key veterans on defense
:: familiar faces and names appear to be a bit bigger this year, and the entire defensive line has 300-pounders either starting or in the two deep at all three positions; the linebacker corps also is big, with multiple positions in the 250-pound range
:: Zach Martin is backed up by his freshman brother Nick Martin at left tackle on the offensive line

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Notre Dame vs. South Florida Depth Charts

The Fighting Irish take on the Bulls at Notre Dame Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, at 3:30 PM ET on NBC

Keep in mind that, in the past, Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly sometimes has featured extensive rotation at a some positions. All players listed have to be ready to play like a starter, and additional players, not listed, might sometimes might see crucial game action.

 

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Keywords: Notre Dame Football, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Notre Dame Depth Chart, Notre Dame Offense, Notre Dame Defense, Notre Dame Special Teams, Brian Kelly, University of Notre Dame

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