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That's just what a program like this might need for a galvanizing effect. 4. Oct. 19 vs. USC — Just like in 2011, Notre Dame will have two weeks to prepare for this home contest versus its archrival. It will aspire toward a better outcome than the 31-17 defeat two years. Although USC head coach Lane Kiffin is on the hottest seat among college coaches after last year's 7‑6 fiasco, USC always has a plethora of NFL talent, led this year by wide receiver Marqise Lee. The Fighting Irish are aiming for their first win at home against the Trojans since 2001, and first back-to-back conquests of USC since 1999-2001. 5. Oct. 5 vs. Arizona State at Arlington, Texas — The "trap game" falls in between home contests against Oklahoma and USC, similar to the BYU contest last year when the Irish escaped with a 17-14 victory at home in between games against Stanford and Oklahoma. The Sun Devils are more talented than BYU, especially on offense with Taylor Kelly, possibly the best quarterback the Irish will face in 2013. Second-year head coach Todd Graham upset the Irish when he was at Tulsa in 2010 and nearly followed suit at Pitt in 2011 before losing 15-12. Top Five Strongest Positions Notre Dame's last scheduled trip to Michigan Stadium, in September, will be the biggest game of the year for the Irish. It usually serves as a precursor of how the season will play out the rest of the way. photo by lon horwedel Starting Data In 2013, Notre Dame will return 149 career starts on offense and 144 on defense, plus junior kicker Kyle Brindza, who started the final 12 games of 2012 after Nick Tausch was injured in the opener against Navy. Only three returning players (all linemen) started all 13 games in 2012, while four did the same on the returning defense. Here are all the career starts, from top to bottom, among players on the 2013 roster, with the number of 2012 starts in parentheses: Offense Defense Player...............Career Starts (2012 Starts) Player...............Career Starts (2012 Starts) LT Zack Martin................................. 39 (13) NG Louis Nix III................................ 22 (11) WR TJ Jones..................................... 30 (11) ILB Dan Fox........................................ 22 (9) LG Chris Watt................................... 26 (13) OLB Prince Shembo.........................21 (13) QB Tommy Rees................................. 18 (2) DE Stephon Tuitt.............................. 16 (13) RT Christian Lombard......................13 (13) ILB Carlo Calabrese............................ 13 (5) TE Troy Niklas...................................... 8 (7) CB Bennett Jackson.........................13 (13) WR Daniel Smith................................. 4 (4) CB KeiVarae Russell......................... 13 (13) WR Chris Brown.................................. 4 (4) OLB Danny Spond............................ 11 (11) WR DaVaris Daniels............................. 3 (3) S Matthias Farley............................. 11 (11) RB George Atkinson III......................... 3 (3) DT Kona Schwenke.............................. 2 (2) TE Ben Koyack......................................1(1) 1. Defensive Line — For the second straight year, this takes top honors. Senior nose guard Louis Nix III and junior end Stephon Tuitt already have been named preseason first-team All-Americans by Lindy's Sports and Athlon Sports, while sophomore end Sheldon Day — cited by the Irish coaching staff as the best at shedding blocks — rounds out the starting unit. Junior Cat linebacker Ishaq Williams also will line up at end on occasion, while classmate Tony Springmann can assist any of the three positions. 2. Outside Linebackers — All seven scholarship players here are expected to see at least special teams action. Seniors Prince Shembo and Danny Spond are the incumbents, but younger players such as Williams, Ben Councell, Romeo Okwara, Jaylon Smith and Doug Randolph are even rangier and faster. 3. Cornerbacks — The top concern of 2012 turned into the top surprise with 2014 NFL prospect Bennett Jackson and Freshman All-American KeiVarae Russell. Senior Lo Wood was in line to start last season prior to a season-ending injury to his Achilles. Five other candidates will vie to make the two-deep. 4. Offensive Line — The left side with fifth-year seniors Zack Martin (tackle) and 22 ✦ Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 20-27.Season Preview-Superlatives.indd 22 6/25/13 8:46 AM