Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/131896
4. USC — Oct. 19 2012 Record: 7-6 (5-4 Pac-12) Last Meeting: Notre Dame 22, USC 13 (2012) Impact Player: Junior WR Marqise Lee — The Biletnikoff Award winner eclipsed fellow USC star Robert Woods as the Trojans' top receiver in 2012 with 118 catches for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. He'll be mentioned among Heisman Trophy candidates in the preseason and will be the go-to man for Lane Kiffin's offense throughout the 2013 season. Outlook: New defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast spent the spring shifting USC to a 5-2 defensive front, which came with its share of growing pains. The team's biggest concern was finding cornerbacks that could cover in the new scheme. Head coach Lane Kiffin even played with the idea of loaning Lee or sophomore offensive weapon Nelson Agholor to the defense in certain situations. That looks like it will remain an emergency option for now, but it's not off the table completely. Sophomore quarterback Cody Kessler caught up to redshirt sophomore Max Wittek in the battle to take Matt Barkley's job this spring. Wittek played well in his debut against Notre Dame last November, which put him in the driver's seat. Kessler has since closed that gap, which led to a little uncertainty under center heading into the summer. Spring Storyline: The Trojans limped into their April 13 scrimmage bruised and battered after a physical spring session. A total of 20 players were held out of action for the spring game because of injuries, including tight ends Randall Telfer (torn meniscus) and Xavier Grimble (chest fracture), nose tackle Antwaun Woods and wide receiver De'Von Flournoy (hand). None of the injuries are expected to keep players off the field in the fall, and Kiffin said while the scrimmage wasn't very productive he was happy with the new physicality his team showed by the end of the spring. 3. Michigan — Sept. 7 2012 Record: 8-5 (6-2 Big Ten) Last Meeting: Notre Dame 13, Michigan 6 (2012) Impact Player: Fifth-year senior OT Taylor Lewan — The 6-8, 308-pounder is widely considered one of the top offensive tackles in the country this season. He's listed by most draft analysts as the second-best prospect behind Texas A&M's Jake Matthews. His steady play will be a plus for the Wolverines while they break in a trio of new starters on the offensive line. Outlook: After taking a slight step backwards last season, Michigan leaves its spring workouts confident in the new explosive potential of its offense under redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner. He took over for Denard Robinson in the middle of the 2012 season and is now fully in control of the offense. Gardner has a growing list of weapons to use in the passing game, including junior wide receiver Jeremy Gallon, sophomore tight end Devin Funchess and sophomore wide receiver Amara Darboh. The defensive line is also restocked this year with a considerable jump in depth. Junior defensive end Frank Clark looks prepared to headline that group after finishing last season with only 25 tackles. Senior Quinton Washington and sophomore Ondre Pipkins should help shore up the middle of the line at nose guard. Spring Storyline: Michigan took two big blows this spring when reserve quarterback Russell Bellomy and starting linebacker Jake Ryan were both lost for at least the majority of the 2013 season with torn ACLs. Ryan, who led the team with 88 tackles a year ago, will be hard to replace. Fifth-year senior Cam Gordon is first in line to take over Ryan's duties, and he'll get help from junior Brennen Beyer. That loss has caused the Wolverines to look at their linebacker corps in a new light.