3 power RBs and another RB that can run the 40 in 4.31 seconds who will likely be in on most plays as a second back.

The OL is huge compared to last year (and this was a team weakness last year). We're averaging 20 pounds heavier per guy...and it's not fat.

Possibly the best TE group in the country. Carlson will be an AA again, Reuland and Yeatman are beasts, and hell, he might even throw the freshman in there (Ragone) because he's really, really fast.

3 QBs, all of which are immensely talented and were highly recruited. JC is scary good (and he's also 20, so he's not your average freshman), and Jones is as athletic as you can want from a QB (and he will at times run spread option plays like West Virginia to keep the defense guessing). Even Sharpley, the least heralded of the bunch, was offered by LSU and has really impressed in practice.

At least 4 (though up to 6 without much drop off) blazing CBs with great cover skills/talent being taught by the former Jet's DB coach, which had the #2 DB unit last year. The guy just mentioned is also our DC and is doing a phenomenal job.

The safeties look excellent. Last year Zibby (our #1 defensive player) was hurt early on in the year and never recovered. He's back now, as are a few other really talented guys.

Our LB are huge and have perfect bodies for the 3-4 defense we're going to run.

The DL is the only question mark. Laws is going to be a great player again, but the other 2 on the DL are unproven and our NT may not be optimally sized.

In summary: I was expecting us to be better than advertised, but wow...we look really, really good. We're stacked at every position except DL. ND haters had better pray the DL is a worst case scenario or we'll win at least 9 games...and maybe go undefeated.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510268)

The bowl commentary is not only tired, but also ineffective in the first place.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510293)

okay, we got you on record.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510315)

Compare that to the '06 team who got blown out by Michigan, USC, and LSU. I still loved the ride in '06, but I don't think you can say the '06 team was as good as the '05 team.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510537)

hth

http://www.olympic-usa.org/11611_32384.htm

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510508)

http://notredame.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=38694

Even if the 40 times for these high school kids are slightly inaccurate, they're all on the same footing and you rarely see kids with times that low.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510531)

In track and field races, the runner must react to the starting gun, which can take 0.10 to 0.20 seconds. For electronically timed 40 yard dashes, the runner is allowed to start when he wishes, and a timer hand-starts the clock (after a reaction time of 0.1 to 0.2 seconds). Although the 40-yard dash is not an official race in track and field, the 60 meter dash is an official distance in indoor track and field, with the world record for that race being 6.39 seconds. However, many sprinters have recorded faster times during 100-meter races, including Ben Johnson during his world-record-setting 1988 Olympic 100 meter dash (which was later annulled due to Johnson's steroid use), when he ran the first 60 meters in 6.33 seconds. [1] It is often reported that Johnson covered his first 40 yards in 4.38 seconds. But if his reaction time of 0.14 seconds is removed, his 40-yard running time was 4.24 seconds. At the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Maurice Greene had what is considered to be the fastest start ever. Green covered matched Johnson's 60-meter time of 6.33 seconds. Despite running into a 0.2 mph headwind, Greene finished the 100 in 9.82 seconds. [2] He covered the first 40 yards of that race in 4.21 seconds, making it the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded using fully electronic timing.

In track and field races, the runner must react to the starting gun, which can take 0.10 to 0.20 seconds. For electronically timed 40 yard dashes, the runner is allowed to start when he wishes, and a timer hand-starts the clock (after a reaction time of 0.1 to 0.2 seconds). This difference would indicate that, at peak form, Johnson would have been hand timed in 4.04 to 4.14 seconds, making claims of hand-held times in the 4.1-4.2 range more credible.

There actually is no single, "official" 40 time at the NFL Combine. National Scouting, which runs the combine, provides three times per run, two fully hand-held and one stopped electronically. Each player may run twice, thereby yielding a potential six times. National Scouting provides all six of these times to NFL teams. The teams then do what they want with those times, or ignore them. Some teams use the best electronic time. Some teams throw out the fastest and slowest and average the rest. Some teams use the best time provided. And some teams use a time provided by their own scout on site.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510691)

But imo we can beat Mich. They lost a lot on defense, and our defense will be surprisingly good (sure this is wishful thinking, but fall practice has been really surprising). We'll need divine intervention for USC, but that's why they play the games.

I'm worried about BC, honestly. They aren't that good, but don't they fall the week of midterms and between the UCLA/USC games? Ouch.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8510313)

Finding out ND sucks is kind of like finding out Santa isn't real for him.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#8666580)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=671757&forum_id=2#10006203)