Weis' offense will produce, but D is a question mark

                    

	Charlie Weis, Brady Quinn John Biever/SI Notre Dame 2005 Record 9-3 Final AP Rank 9 Returning Starters 17 (8 offense, 9 defense) Last National Title 1988 The Contenders Auburn Michigan Cal Nebraska Clemson Notre Dame Florida State Ohio State Georgia Tech South Carolina Iowa USC Louisville Utah Miami West Virginia

By Stewart Mandel, SI.com

Why Notre Dame can win it all: A veteran offense that exploded last season (477 yards per game) figures to be even more lethal with senior quarterback Brady Quinn entering his second year in coach Charlie Weis' system. The return of tailback Darius Walker, receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight (injured last year) and four offensive linemen assure a balanced attack.

What must fall into place: The Irish defense, fairly young a year ago, must improve considerably after allowing 617 yards to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. Senior defensive ends Victor Abiamiri and Chris Frome must develop into elite pass-rushers, and corners Ambrose Wooden and Mike Richardson need to cut down on mistakes. An injection of talent from the freshman class should help.

How it could go wrong: If the defense still can't hang with the big boys, forget about it. There's also the reality that even if the Irish make it to late November unscathed, they'll need to win at USC in their last game to finish No. 1 or No. 2. The Trojans haven't lost at home in five years and usually kick it into high gear by the end of the season.

Good omen: Among other recent coaching "geniuses," Bob Stoops (2000) and Jim Tressel (2002) both won national championships in their second seasons.

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