Notre Dame spent most of last season at the top. Their near perfect season was all but forgotten about three minutes into the BCS National Championship game where they got blown out of Miami 42-14 by the Alabama Crimson Tide. Many immediately chimed in on the "overrated" chant, all but counting the Irish out of national picture. Now with a new season approaching, the first preseason poll has Notre Dame ranked a generous No. 11. Will the Irish prove to be overrated once again?
No matter where Notre Dame were to have fallen in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll, half of college football fans would say they are ranked too high while the other half argue they are ranked too low. Last season, Notre Dame was ranked No. 24 in this same poll before finished No. 3 at the end of the year. Unfortunately, preseason polls matter in college football, no matter how pointless they feel. So, with Notre Dame's current roster, are they really deserving to be ranked ahead of teams like LSU or Oklahoma State and is another storybook season in the works?
The 2013 Notre Dame roster is certainly missing a slew of marquee players. While Brian Kelly is back with the clipboard for another year, the team had several departures in the offseason. Linebacker Manti Te'o, tight end Tyler Eifert and running back Theo Riddick will be nowhere near the Irish football field this fall. While Irish fans were excited at the idea of quarterback Everett Golson returning after a strong finish last season, he was suspended for the season, ending that dream.
Kelly has made size and strength a priority for the Irish. He has intended to build the team like an SEC-style team in hopes of being a top contender again. When it all boils down to it though, their success rides on the shoulders of senior Tommy Rees at quarterback, along with defensive stars like Stephon Tuitt and Max Redfield who headlined the recruiting class.
Rees has the experience to truly lead the team and with George Atkinson and TJ Jones highlight the offensive playmakers, the Irish should put up some points. But, is Rees really a championship quarterback? He was originally the team's starter in 2011, before throwing 14 interceptions and getting replaced. With Golson out of the picture, Rees has a lot to prove.
Notre Dame's schedule does not work in their favor. Four of their upcoming opponents are in the top 25 of the poll, including No. 4 Stanford, No. 16 Oklahoma, No. 17 Michigan and No. 24 Southern California. Michigan State and Arizona State also got votes to crack the top 25 as well.
They certainly have an uphill battle. Many would argue that the current roster in place would once again get crushed in a BCS game. But with the right development, Notre Dame can keep themselves in the national picture.
