Key Games

Schedule strength: 13th of 112

Sept. 5 at Notre Dame
It's always risky to take an untested quarterback on the road to begin his career-especially to South Bend-and the Irish are overdue to win a big game.

Sept. 26 vs. Michigan State
An earlier-than-usual matchup with the hated Spartans, who were stung by last year's 23-7 embarrassment in East Lansing.

Nov. 21 at Ohio State
Payback has built to epic proportions for the Buckeyes, who are 1-8-1 against the Wolverines since 1988 and have lost two recent national title shots to Michigan ('95 and '96).