| The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are hoping that the | | | | as though the Irish plan on sending red-shirt |
| latest coaching change will finally push their football | | | | freshman Zack Martin out at left tackle, and he |
| team back a top the college football landscape. | | | | will have to produce for this unit to be good as a |
| The Irish fired head coach Charlie Weis after the | | | | whole. |
| team went just 6-6, losing their final four games | | | | Defense: The Irish were not good at all on this |
| of the season. In comes former Cincinnati head | | | | side of the ball in 2009, allowing 170 rushing yards |
| coach Brian Kelly, who led the Bearcats to three | | | | and 228 passing yards a game. The switch to the |
| consecutive ten win seasons. The change has | | | | 3-4 figures to really help this unit, but will likely still |
| fans believing that 2010 will be the year the Irish | | | | struggle at times this season. |
| get back to a BCS bowl game. | | | | Up front it looks as though senior Ian Williams will |
| It won't be easy turning a 6-6 team into a BCS | | | | take over at the nose tackle spot, while |
| contender, especially with only 14 starters back | | | | sophomore Kapron Lewis-Moore and junior Ethan |
| and the loss of star quarterback Jimmy Clausen | | | | Johnson handle the two defensive end spots. If |
| and wide out Golden Tate. The team also plans to | | | | this trio can just plug up the middle, look for the |
| make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 on defense | | | | Irish to be much better against the run this |
| this season. To help you get ready for the 2010 | | | | season. |
| season, here is a quick look at what the Irish will | | | | The Irish figure to have a very strong group at |
| be sending on to the field on both sides of the | | | | linebacker this season. They return all three |
| ball, plus ill give you my prediction on how I see | | | | starters from 2009, and will add a talented young |
| this team finishing up the year. | | | | kid in sophomore Anthony McDonald. This group |
| Offense: Kelly is well known for turning just about | | | | will be the key to the 3-4 success this season, as |
| anyone into a solid starting quarterback, and he | | | | Darius Fleming and Brian Smith must put pressure |
| figures to do just that with sophomore Dayne | | | | on the quarterback from the outside spots. |
| Crist, who has the talent to be very good by the | | | | The Irish look to have a pretty solid secondary in |
| time he leaves South Bend. | | | | 2010, as they return both starters at corner in |
| At running back the Irish return their top rusher | | | | junior Gary Gray and senior Darrin Walls. Adding |
| from 2009 in senior Armando Allen. While Allen will | | | | to the mix will be sophomore free safety Jamoris |
| get the majority of the carries, fans should get a | | | | Slaughter, who should fit in nicely alongside junior |
| good look at the future in red-shirt freshman | | | | strong safety Harrison Smith. |
| Cierre Wood. | | | | Prediction - 9-3: I think there is a great chance the |
| The Irish lose a huge weapon in Tate at wide | | | | Irish win all of their home games in 2010, plus I |
| receiver, but I believe they could have another | | | | have them beating both Army and Navy, which |
| star in the making in junior Malcolm Floyd, who | | | | would give them their 9 wins. They could reach |
| was second on the team with 795 yards and 9 | | | | the ten win mark if they can find a way to beat |
| touchdowns last season. Also keep an eye out | | | | Michigan State, Boston College, or USC on the |
| for junior tight end Kyle Rudolph. | | | | road. |
| The offensive line is a bit of a concern for the | | | | See if Jack Jones has the Irish in his preseason |
| Irish heading into the 2010 season, as they only | | | | top ten in his 2010 college football predictions. If |
| starters back are junior right tackle Trevor | | | | you plan on betting college football this season, |
| Robinson and senior left guard Chris Stewart. | | | | than you owe it to yourself to check out our live |
| Junior right guard Taylor Dever and sophomore | | | | college football odd s page each week to ensure |
| center Braxston Cave both got playing time in | | | | you have the best odds available. |
| 2009, and figure to be solid replacements. It looks | | | | |
