Other than lockdown cornerback Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State brings back pretty much every other piece of the surprise team that won the Big Ten title and then took down the Rose Bowl.
Losing half your starters on D = returning pretty much everybody?
A strong spring by redshirt freshman quarterback Malik Zaire will keep Notre Dame's quarterback position up for grabs until preseason practice, when Everett Golson will have to come up big to get back his old job after missing the 2013 season. It's the most pressing storyline for the Fighting Irish from an individual standpoint, but the real issue is whether they can handle the upgraded schedule.
Notre Dame will face 10 teams that played in bowls last season (going a collective 7-3), starting with Conference USA champ Rice and later including defending national champ Florida State. It should be fun to watch, but it might be a bit too much for the Irish and their lofty expectations to handle.
No, no it won't. Golson is the starting QB and Kelly has said as much.
The schedule is tough, but manageable. The biggest issue is the defense. New scheme + new players + not a lot of depth in the front 7 = a razor thin margin of error for new DC Brian Van Gorder. Should be fun.
"Well, my wife assassinated my sexual identity, and my children are eating my dreams." -Louis CK
