NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Bob Davie
21-16, 3 years
1999 Record: 5-7
Aug 28 Kansas Won 48-13
Sep 04 @Michigan Lost 22-26
Sep 11 @Purdue Lost 23-28
Sep 18 Michigan State Lost 13-23
Oct 02 Oklahoma Won 34-30
Oct 09 Arizona State Won 48-17
Oct 16 Southern California Won 25-24
Oct 30 Navy Won 28-24
Nov 06 @Tennessee Lost 14-38
Nov 13 @Pittsburgh Lost 27-37
Nov 20 Boston College Lost 29-31
Nov 27 @Stanford Lost 37-40
1999 Final Rankings
AP-NR,  BCS-NR,  Coaches-NR
2000 Outlook

Yes, Bob Davie is on the hot seat. After twelve consecutive winning seasons, Notre Dame finished with four straight losses in 1999 leaving them with no bowl game and unranked at 5-7. To make matters worse, the Irish were slapped with probation by the NCAA Infractions Committee over the winter for previous violations, the first time in the history of life under the Golden Dome. There is alot of pride hurt in South Bend, especially on the defensive side of the ball where only five starters will return from a year ago. To make sure that Coach Davie will be fighting an uphill battle the administration has provided him with the 3rd rated toughest schedule in the nation for 2000. ND opens with five teams that played in bowls just last season. At least fans will find out how far the Luck of the Irish will take them from the getgo as Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Purdue come into Notre Dame Stadium in September. . Some great recruiting classes continue to roll through and this year some of the talent must rise up to salvage a Top 25 finish.
Projected Record: 7-5

Notre Dame 2000 Schedule

NOTRE DAME
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 1.5 DL - 2
RB - 4.5 LB - 2.5
WR - 3 DB - 3
OL - 4  

 


NOTRE DAME
FIGHTING IRISH
2000 FOOTBALL PREVIEW


2000 OFFENSE
Strengths: There is a solid core of experienced veterans at the tailback spot led by Tony Fisher, who started every game and led all rushers in 1999. The depth chart is deep and talented and it will be a fierce battle for playing time with Julius Jones and Terrance Howard getting plenty of hand-offs all season. The fullback spot will miss Joey Godspeed but coaches feel Tom Lopienski is quite capable of filling in. To even further compliment the running game is a very solid offensive line, unlike last year when Notre Dame was struggling up front. Five regulars starring on the line include Black, Jones, Gandy, Teasdale, and one of the best tight ends in the country, 1999 Honorable Mention All-American Jabari Holloway. A couple of big names disappear at wide out but six of the top eight pass catchers from last season are back.
Weaknesses: The quarterback spot is a major concern in South Bend. Lost is Jarious Jackson, who broke single season records in 1999 for passing yardage and passes completed in a single season. Jackson was the sole captain last year. Taking his place will be untested junior Arnaz Battle. Over the last two years Battle played in eleven games and has thrown 35 passes. The scariest problem is that Gary Godsey is the only other scholarship QB and did not play in 1999. Hopes are the offensive line and running backs will take the weight off of the shoulders of Battle. Also gone is last years leading receiver Bobby Brown and teammate Raki Nelson.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Arnaz Battle 6-1 218 Jr. Gary Godsey 6-7 240 So.
FB Tom Lopienski 6-1 245 Jr. Jason Murray 6-1 259 Sr.
TB Tony Fisher 6-2 225 Jr.   Julius Jones 5-10 201 So.
WR Javin Hunter 6-0 186 Jr.   Jay Johnson 5-11 191 Sr.
WR Joey Getherall 5-7 175 Sr.   David Givens 6-3 217 Jr.
T Jordan Black 6-6 310 Jr.   Kurt Vollers 6-7 310 Sr.
G Jim Jones 6-2 310 Sr.   Sean Mahan 6-3 288 Jr.
C Jeff Faine 6-3 292 So.   Ryan Gillis 6-3 292 So.
G Mike Gandy 6-4 315 Sr.   Rob Mowl 6-4 300 Sr.
T John Teasdale 6-5 305 Sr.   Casey Robin 6-7 305 Sr.
TE Jabari Holloway 6-3 260 Sr.   Dan O'Leary 6-3 260 Sr.
K David Miller 5-11 195 Jr.   Nick Setta 5-11 160 So.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Bobby Brown-WR, John Merandi-C, Jarious Jackson-QB, Joey Goodspeed-FB,
Raki Nelson-WR, Jim Sanson-K


2000 DEFENSE
Strengths: Leading the Notre Dame defense in the trenches will be senior Grant Irons and junior Anthony Weaver as both played major roles last year. The middle of the field returns some quality talent in linebackers Rocky Boiman and Anthony Denman who lead the Irish in team tackles a year ago with 89 of them. The defensive backfield lost three starters but Coach Davie feels this may be the largest group in numbers there since taking over the program. Jefferson is the lone returning starter and will join forces with Brock Williams, Ron Israel, and free safeties Gerome Sapp, 1999 Team Rookie of The Year, and counterpart Justin Smith. Even more impressive is that the starter may be highly recruited tailback Tony Driver after switching over from that spot on and off during his career.

Weaknesses: The Irish defense will be the number one priority for 2000. The once proud group has been as pourous as swiss cheese over the last few years and was exceptionally hurting in 1999 as ND gave up an average of 383 yards per game and permitted 27.6 points per game. The blue and gold defenders have been giving up way too many big plays. There are numbers in the backfield but alot of inexperience. ND has got to improve on performance against the pass. Over all it is safe to say coaches feel there will be alot of positions open everywhere.

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Grant Irons 6-5 275 Sr. John Owens 6-3 255 Jr.
DT Anthony Weaver 6-3 276 Jr. Cedric Hilliard 6-2 295 So.
DT Lance Legree 6-1 285 Sr.   Andy Wisne 6-3 272 Sr.
DE Ryan Roberts 6-2 251 Jr.   Darrell Campbell 6-4 275 So.
OLB Rocky Boiman 6-4 240 Jr.   Justin Thomas 6-1 245 So.
ILB Anthony Denman 6-2 235 Sr.   Carlos Pierre-Antoine 6-3 242 Jr.
ILB Tyreo Harrison 6-2 242 Jr.   Pat Ryan 6-3 235 So.
CB Clifford Jefferson 5-9 180 Jr.   Jason Beckstrom 5-10 190 So.
CB Brock Williams 5-10 190 Sr.   Shane Walton 5-11 183 Jr.
SS Ron Israel 6-3 208 Sr.   Donald Dykes 5-11 195 Jr.
FS Gerome Sapp 6-0 212 So.   Tony Driver 6-2 215 Sr.
P Joey Hildbold 5-10 175 So.   Nick Setta 5-11 160 So.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Antwon Jones-DT, Brad Williams-DT, Lamont Bryant-DE, Joey Ferrer-LB,
Ronnie Nicks-LB, Deveron Harper-CB, A'Jani Sanders-SS, Deke Cooper-FS