BGI Special Edition

2013 Notre Dame Football Preview

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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STACKED A breakdown of all the best units and players Notre Dame will face during another difficult schedule in 2013 Redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Kelly completed 241 of 359 passes (67.1 percent) for 3,039 yards with 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions for Arizona State in his first year as a starter in 2012. PHOTO BY DON FERIA/COURTESY ARIZONA STATE N BY DAN MURPHY otre Dame's cross-country slate of games in 2013 features the usual combination of historic rivalries and exciting, challenging opponents. There will be Heisman candidates, returning All-Americans and budding stars waiting in the opposite locker rooms this fall. There are a handful of veteran defenses, programs on the rise and others scrambling to recover from some huge losses. To make it a little easier to know what to expect in the coming Saturdays, we ranked the top three units Notre Dame will face at each position group. Offensive Backfield 1. Michigan — Redshirt junior Devin Gardner showed great promise after taking over for former Heisman contender Denard Robinson — who suffered an arm injury — at the quarterback spot midway through the 2012 season. His five games under center last fall should eliminate a tough transition period to start the season. If fifth-year senior Fitzgerald Toussaint can return to full health from a broken leg, 112 ! he'll bring a measure of experience to the U-M backfield. If not, blue-chip freshman Derrick Green will get a chance to showcase his power and speed early in his career. 2. Arizona State — Taylor Kelly set school records for pass attempts (359) and completion percentage (.671) en route to throwing for 3,039 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season as a starter. He still has room to cut down on mistakes (nine interceptions last year), which would make him even more dangerous in 2013. The return of senior Marion Grice (1,104 all-purpose yards) gives the Sun Devils a threat to run and catch passes out of the backfield. 3. USC — The Trojans may be low on numbers, but the talent is still flowing at the running back position. Freshmen Justin Davis and Ty Isaac are good enough to push veterans Silas Redd and D.J. Morgan for carries throughout the season. USC heads into training camp with a competition between redshirt sophomores Max Wittek and Cody Kessler at quarterback. Wittek has the slightly stronger arm, but both arrived with the typical fanfare. Pass Catchers 1. USC — Whoever wins that Trojans quarterback job will have plenty of riches to help ease him into the position despite the loss of Robert Woods (NFL) and George Farmer (knee injury). The list starts with 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee. He posts eye-popping statistics (118 receptions for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns) while opening up the field for teammates such as sophomore Nelson Agholor. Redshirt junior tight ends Randall Telfer and Xavier Grimble provide a pair of big, reliable targets across the middle. 2. Oklahoma — The Sooners lost their two top receivers from a year ago in Kenny Stills and Justin Brown, but the biggest question in the passing game is when they'll find the right quarterback to get the ball to all the targets they have left. Along with Jalen Saunders (62 catches for 829 yards and three TD) and Sterling Shepard (45 catches for 621 yards and three TD), Oklahoma will add promising former junior college receivers Trey Metoyer and Lacolton Bester to the mix. Jaz Reynolds BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2013 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 112-115.Opponent Superlatives.indd 112 6/25/13 11:11 AM

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