Coach: Brian Kelly.

2013 record: 9-4

Top players to watch: K/P Kyle Brindza (6-1, 236, senior); WR DeVaris Daniels (6-2, 203, junior); DT Sheldon Day (6-2, 290, junior); QB Everett Golson (6-0, 200, junior); TE Ben Koyack (6-5, 261, senior); G Christian Lombard (6-5, 315, senior); CB Cody Riggs (5-9, 184, senior); CB KeiVarae Russell (5-11, 190, junior); LB Jaylon Smith (6-2, 230, sophomore); OT Ronnie Stanley (6-5, 318, junior); DE Ishaq Williams (6-5, 271, senior).

The outlook: The Irish followed up a trip to the national championship game in 2012 with a Pinstripe Bowl appearance in 2013. So, yes, 2013 was a disappointment. Then again, the Irish were without Golson, who was the starting quarterback in 2012 but missed last season for academic reasons. His return should provide a boost to the offense because of his dual-threat abilities. Golson is not going to be an NFL star -- heck, he might not even be an NFL player -- but he is a very good college quarterback who understands Kelly's offense. Expect a tailback-by-committee approach, and there is a nice group that should share carries. Daniels, whose dad, Phillip, was a longtime NFL defensive end, will be expected to make the jump from No. 2 receiver to go-to guy. He has a nice size/speed mix and can be a deep threat. Koyack will be a first-time starter; he also has the potential to be one of the first tight ends taken in the 2015 NFL Draft. He is a still-developing receiver, but could be a 40-catch guy this fall. Lombard and Stanley are the standouts along the line. Lombard is a good run blocker, while Stanley looks to have the footwork necessary to be a solid left tackle. There are high expectations for Day, who also should see time at end because he has some pass-rush ability. Williams is on this list not for what he has done but rather for what he could do: He is a good athlete who has been frustratingly inconsistent in his career. He should be able to provide a consistent pass rush. Smith might be the best sophomore linebacker in the nation. He arrived amid a ton of hype and began to live up to it last season as a true freshman. He was third on the team with 67 tackles and should lead the team in stops this fall. He is quick and physical, and has a big-time upside. The secondary should be a team strength. Russell was thrown into the fray as a true freshman in 2012 and more than held his own, and he showed further improvement last fall. Riggs, a transfer from Florida, should start opposite Russell. He started at corner and strong safety for Florida, and possesses a physical nature that will come in handy against the run. Brindza handles the kicking and punting as well as kickoffs, and does a nice job in all three facets; that versatility could lead to him being drafted next May. Notre Dame plays just three true road games this fall -- but those games are against Arizona State, Florida State and USC (the Irish also have three neutral-site games, though those are much easier: Navy, Purdue and Syracuse). There are home games against, among others, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina and Stanford. Bottom line: This is a challenging schedule. But the talent is there to win nine games.