NOTRE DAME - Number One. Yes? No?

If you talk to or hear from two college football analysts, you get at least three opinions on who is the numero uno stalking horse for the Y2006 season. Wherefore art thou Notre Dame? Actually, a few earlier forecasts didn't place the Irish in the top 5 and in one out of the top ten.

Now the second wave of prognosticators have come forth and, lo and begorra, the lads from South Bend are hanging, not dangling, from the top. Number One! Why?

There was nothing special about the brief and skeletal offense and defense performances at the annual Blue and Gold spring game (Certainly, nothing special about the Fiesta Bowl performance that ended play last season). Most of the same boys are back from the Y2005 campaign and some good ones have moved on. What's the basis for being the poll topper?

Some big, very big, questions arise about the defense--line, linebackers, and secondary. How does one select a team as Number One in the pre-season that still awaits positive answers to those questions? I mean, Charlie's three Weismen--Minter, Lewis, and Oliver--are still at the defense drawing board. Do they have some magic conjured that we are unaware of for this season? More questions.

Shit, let's face it: It's good for college football to have The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at the top at the beginning. ND is the face of college football and, after all these recent pimpled years, the pundits can now put a smile back on it.

So, let's accept it, Irish faithful. They love us and they love to hate us, but they sure as hell love to talk and write about us.

And, just wait until the magazine covers portray "you-know-who" as the Heisman favorite!

--Old Shillelagh

CHARLIE's CAVALRY: Charge of the Coming-of-Age Brigade

Neal, Nagel, Clausen, Ragone, and now, Kamara--all blue chip prep juniors. We look for early Irish verbals from Joe Barksdale DL, Arrelious Benn WR, Ryan Miller OL, Steve Paskorz LB, Justin Trattou DL (to complete the Jersey trifecta), Martez Wilson DL, and Stefan Wisniewski OL. Y2oo7 is looking like a banner year for Notre Dame--maybe its best recruitment ever.

Let's not lose sight of Y2006.

It could be that the incoming Freshmen might well be among the top prep talent ND has garnered in a long, long time--and many will see action this season, according to discussions with sources close to the Irish football program. Here's what they are saying:

* James Aldridge, RB - Will need reps, but may have hard time getting playing time with Walker and Thomas ahead of him. Thanks to Army, Navy and the Air Force for minutes.

* Sergio Brown, DB, - Special teams and the academy games.

* Ryan Burkhart, K - It's his to lose.

* Matt Carufel, OL - Lots of playing time; also being looked at for DL.

* Zach Frazer, QB - Big question mark. First few practices will tell future.

* Jashaad Gaines, DB - needs a ton of schooling at this level.

* Barry Gallup, WR - Ready to get his shot with quality PT.

* Leonard Gordon, DB - Sidelines.

* Richard Jackson, WR - Coaches have a high regard for moves, speed.

* Demetrius Jones, QB - Clausen changes thinking here; look for switch.

* Raeshon McNeil, DB - Will get a close look for immediate back-up.

* Paddy Mullen, DT - Challenge for starting post when he enters.

* Eric Olsen, OL - Will see a lot of action against quality teams.

* Robby Parris, WR - Good height, but injury prone? Sidelines.

* Munir Prince, RB - Playing-time at RB, WR, DB, Returns; good vibes.

* Konrad Reuland, TE - Will compete with vets for quality PT.

* Morrice Richardson, LB - Special teams and other opportunities.

* John Ryan, DL - Sidelines.

* Luke Schmidt, RB - Should be starter against Georgia Tech.

* Toryan Smith, LB - Banger who won't be denied.

* Chris Stewart, OL - Getting better and better; will be a force.

* Kallen Wade, DL - Special teams and lots of playing time.

* Darrin Walls, DB - Smart and speedy; challenge, challenge.

* Bartley Webb, OL - Mostly sidelines with play against academies.

* Dan Wenger, C - Will see action in all games; immediate back-up.

* George West, Ath - Special teams and returns; good vibes.

* Will Yeatman, TE - Action against the academies; switch to DL?

* Sam Young, OL - Right tackle spot awaiting the big guy.

We can't argue too much with the interpreted views of our sources, however, we still believe that Demetrius Jones will be a strong competing QB, and Sergio Brown will be a pleasant surprise and get his share of quality PT.

--Old Shillelagh & Wee Leprechaun

September Song...And The Days Grow Short

Jimmy Clausen, Mike Ragone, and there will be many more blue chippers lining up for Irish uniforms (hopefully, Green jerseys) in 2007.

But, what about the Fall of 2006, and the Yellow Jackets, Nittany Lions, and a whole host of tough games. Who will Charlie Weis settle with against these formidable foes, especially in the early contests?

Based on veterans from the 2005 gridiron wars, the curious spring Blue-Gold game, and incoming Freshmen, here's the O and D lineups we foresee.

Offense:

QB - Brady Quinn
RB - Darius Walker (Travis Thomas getting his share of playing time).
FB - Luke Schmidt (Asaph Schwapp relegated to back-up).
WR- Jeff Samardzjia
WR- Rhema McKnight (David Grimes in there a lot).
TE - John Carlson (sharing with Marcus Freeman).
LT - Ryan Harris
LG - Dan Santucci (spelled by Eric Olsen, who has a bigtime future).
C - John Sullivan
RG - Bob Morton
RT - Sam Young (Yes, and a great year).
K - Ryan Burkhart (we have reason to be nervous).

--This group capable of putting up a lot of points on the big board; quality backups at every position, except kicker. This post could be the critical in a few games.

Defense:

DE - Victor Abiamiri
DT - Trevor Laws
DT - Derek Landri
DE - Ronald Talley (weak here no matter who plays this post).
LB - Maurice Crum
LB - Joe Brockington (spelled by Toryan Smith).
LB - Mitchell Thomas (spelled by Morrice Richardson).
S - Tom Zbikowski (he has good PR but not good moves).
S - David Bruton
CB - Ambrose Wooden (spelled by Raeshon McNeil).
CB - Terrail Lambert (he will "show well").
P - Geoffrey Price (his time has finally come).

There are a number of good athletes for the special teams, which should be a strength for ND.
The defense, i.e., line, linebackers, and secondary--the whole magilla--is suspect at this juncture.

We know that CW is no miracle worker, but we also know that he has more to work with coming into fall practice this year than in 2005. We look for some magic and some surprises, especially defensive personnel.

--Old Shillelagh & Wee Leprechaun