2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Preview
2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Notre Dame Fighting Irish football preview as well as the 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Schedule. Get Free football predictions against the sportsbooks college football betting line.
Coach: Charlie Weis (4th year at Notre Dame)
Team Name: Fighting Irish
2007 Overall Record: 3-9
Returning Starters: 16
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (10- 3) went to the Sugar Bowl last year where they were humbled by LSU 14- 41. In the past three years, Notre Dame has not won a bowl contest. For the Irish, an Independent team, a season comes down to national ranking and bowl victories.
Brady Quinn is gone. Now what? It's difficult to say who will start at QB for Notre Dame. It could be junior Evan Sharpley or freshman Jimmy Clausen. Either way, there's not any real experience at the helm. Dependable TE John Carlson, a senior, will be instrumental in this inexperienced offense. Senior RB Travis Thomas, who went to LB last season, is back to head the running game that has a host of tough ground gainers. The frontline returns only two, including senior center John Sullivan. Look for junior WR David Grimes (26 REC, 336 YDs, 2 TDs) to be a playmaker. Last season the passing game was rated 13th nationally and the rushing 72nd. Look for these areas to be more balanced in 2008.
The Irish gave up too may points last season—23.9 PPG. Their secondary got a little faster but not fast enough. First-time defensive coordinator Corwin Brown is getting on the job training. Senior CB Terrail Lambert (3 INTs) is a big play guy, while senior safety Tom Zbikowski (79 tackles, 44 solo) looks to have a stellar final season. Senior ILB Maurice Crum leads the line-backing group. The frontline is inexperienced.
In this rebuilding year, the Irish will find it tough going as they face a boatload of top teams, including Georgia Tech, Penn State and Michigan in their first three games. UCLA and USC are also on the list. Swing games includes those versus Purdue and Boston College. Seven wins and five loses may be the outcome and five and seven is possible. Of course, Charlie Weis, one shrewd coach and fine mentor, could surprise everyone as he has done in the past.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Schedule
Date |
Opponent |
Home/Away |
Sep 6 |
San Diego State |
Home |
Sep 13 |
Michigan |
Home |
Sep 20 |
Michigan State |
Away |
Sep 27 |
Purdue |
Home |
Oct 4 |
Stanford |
Home |
Oct 11 |
North Carolina |
Away |
Oct 25 |
Washington |
Away |
Nov 1 |
Pittsburgh |
Home |
Nov 8 |
Boston College |
Away |
Nov 15 |
Navy |
Neutral |
Nov 22 |
Syracuse |
Home |
Nov 29 |
USC |
Away |
For more info on the 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program, view the Fighting Irish website or read up on the rest of the non BCS ncaa football teams below.
