Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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four receivers, including tight ends Zach Ertz and Levin Toilolo. However, it returns seven defensive starters and other regulars from a unit that ranked No. 1 nationally in sacks (4.07 per game) and 11th in scoring defense (17.21), led by outside linebacker Trent Murphy (18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in 2012). The offensive line and its smash-mouth attack returns four starters to block for quarterback Kevin Hogan, who started the last five games and completed 71.7 percent of his passes. 2. Michigan (8-5) Top Offseason Note: The return of offensive left tackle Taylor Lewan, a projected top-15 pick in the NFL Draft, was a huge boost with both starting guards and the center graduating. Notable: Notre Dame is 1-6 in its last seven trips to Ann Arbor. Summary: This Michigan team reminds us a little of where Notre Dame was last year: A disappointing 8-5 season, losing numerous heartbreakers, blowing a fourth-quarter lead in a bowl loss (33-28 to South Carolina) and relatively under the radar with a thirdyear coach (Brady Hoke). Former wideout Devin Gardner is now at quarterback (75-of-126 passing for 1,219 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions), but running back 2013 Schedule Aug. 31 Temple Sept. 7 at Michigan at Purdue Sept. 14 Michigan State Sept. 21 Oklahoma Sept. 28 vs. Arizona State* Oct. 5 USC Oct. 19 Oct. 26 at Air Force Navy Nov. 2 at Pitt Nov. 9 BYU Nov. 23 Nov. 30 at Stanford *in Arlington, Texas Fitzgerald Toussaint needs to return to his 2011 form (1,041 yards) after a disappointing 2012 (514 yards, 4.0 yards per carry) in which he served an early one-game suspension. 3. Oklahoma (10-3) Top Offseason Note: Leading receiver Kenny Stills, top tackler/safety Tony Jefferson and linebacker Tom Wort all were early defections to the NFL, but All-Big 12 corner Aaron Colvin is back. Notable: The Sooners will have an extra week to prepare for Notre Dame after hosting Tulsa Sept. 14. Summary: Head coach Bob Stoops might have a more ground-oriented attack with powerhouse Blake Bell replacing the graduated Landry Jones at quarterback, four starters returning along the line (led by center Gabe Ikard), and running backs Damien Williams and Brennan Clay (1,501 combined yards rushing in 2012). The main question is defense, where only four starters return from a unit that Texas A&M Heisman winner Johnny Manziel torched for 287 yards passing and 229 yards rushing. Reports have OU moving to a new 3-4 alignment after finishing 89th versus the run and giving up the most points in the 14-year Stoops era (25.46 per game). Recruiting has slipped in recent years. 4. USC (7-6) Top Offseason Note: Athletics director Pat Haden is publicly staying the course with fourth-year head coach Lane Kiffin on college football's hottest seat. "It was a disappointing season, but there is no reason to panic," Haden told CBSSports' Dennis Dodd. "... Notre Dame went from 8-5 to the national championship game. Florida was 7-6 and turned it around. Texas A&M turned it around." Kiffin's father, Monte, resigned as defensive coordinator, Scottie Hazelton took the defensive coordinator position at Nevada, and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders was ousted to make room for new secondary coach and defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, who was at Cal the past three years. Shortly after