Potentially FIVE NFL ND Rookie Starters

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the following players are in the starting line-up for their respective teams in a couple of weeks.   

When was the last time Notre Dame had five ROOKIE STARTERS in the NFL?

• Zack Martin -- given, will start at right guard for Cowboys
• Troy Niklas -- could start for the Cardinals at tight end
• Stephon Tuitt -- could start at the defensive end position for the Steelers
• Chris Watt -- could start at the right guard position for the Chargers
• Prince Shembo -- could start at middle linebacker for the Falcons

For that matter -- when was the last time any college team had that many rookie starters?

2014 Strength of Schedule vs. Notre Dame

Over the next few days the ND GO IRISH BLOG will be looking at the TOP 25 teams in the AP POLL and their strength of schedule (SOS) vs. Notre Dame's.  First -- the top FIVE ranked teams' SOS vs. the Fighting Irish.

Folks -- the PLAYOFF COMMITTEE better be looking at this!

#17 NOTRE DAME

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  103 - 56
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  6
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  5

#1 FLORIDA STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  83 -69
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  2

#2 ALABAMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 79
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25: 4

#3 OREGON

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013: 80 - 73
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  3
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  4

#4  OKLAHOMA

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  71 - 78
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  2
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:   2

#5 OHIO STATE

• Opponents Won / Loss Record in 2013:  87 - 66
• Opponents With Double Digit Wins in 2013:  1
• Opponents Ranked in 2014 Top-25:  1

Bob Diaco Names His Starting QB -- I Think...

You have got to watch this out of Storrs, CT.  Coach Diaco names his starting QB yesterday -- I think...

LINK:  DIACO

There's a "New Sheriff" in Notre Dame Town!

You've got to love this photo of Coach Van Gorder at today's Notre Dame football practice!

Coverage of Notre Dame Football Media Day

Here's all of the coverage I've been able to find of today's MEDIA DAY for the Notre Dame Football program.  Just click on the links below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY'S PRESSER

LINK:  JACK NOLAN INTERVIEW OF COACH KELLY

LINK:  CODY RIGGS INTERVIEW

LINK:  CHRISTIAN LOMBARD INTERVIEW

LINK:  AUSTIN COLLINSWORTH INTERVIEW

LINK:  JACK NOLAN & REGGIE BROOKS

The Story of the Shamrock Series Gear for ND

The folks at Under Armour shared their story today regarding the making of the Shamrock Series helmet and uniform for the University of Notre Dame.   As a storyteller -- it's nice to see their interest in telling a story...

I LIKE THE STORY!

You must watch the video linked below:

LINK:  THE STORY

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S UNVEIL

Notre Dame's Under Armour Football Uniforms

Well, here's what we've been waiting for...

Looks like we have a different shade of gold with the pants.

This "early reveal" paves the way for the much anticipated SHAMROCK SERIES helmet and uniform unveil which should happen this afternoon -- click on the link below to watch LIVE.  Starts at 1 PM ET:

LINK:  SHAMROCK SERIES UNIFORM REVEAL

New Addition to ND's Labar Athletics Complex

A privacy screen has been added to the eastern edge of Notre Dame's Labar Athletics Complex -- where the Fighting Irish Football Team practices.

I'm quite sure this move was precipitated by the OVERLOOK at NOTRE DAME apartment complex -- on Twyckenham -- just east of the practice fields.  The Overlook at Notre Dame is a four-story building housing graduate students.

You never know ("WINK-WINK"), there just might be a Michigan, USC, Florida State alum or two or three in those apartments attending grad school at Notre Dame...

LINK:  OVERLOOK AT NOTRE DAME

WATCH LIVE: Media Day Today at 1 PM ET

The Notre Dame Football team will hold its annual MEDIA DAY today at 1 PM ET -- and you can watch it LIVE at the link below:

LINK:  MEDIA DAY

NFL Highlights of ND Players This Weekend

Here's a look at some highlights of former Notre Dame student-athletes from this weekend of NFL Exhibition football.  Just click on the former player's name and you'll see their highlight video:

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE TD CATCH

LINK:  STEPHON TUITT'S -- TACKLE DOWN FIELD

LINK:  KYLE RUDOLPH'S 51 YARD TD CATCH

LINK:  ROBERT HUGHES' TD RUN

ND Football -- A Look at the Wide Receivers

The Fighting Irish are expected to be throwing the ball all over the field this season -- here's a look at the position that should be on the other end of many of Everett Golson's passes...

LINK:  NOTRE DAME WIDE RECEIVERS

ND Football Media Day -- LIVE at 1 PM ET

Notre Dame Football's annual MEDIA DAY is scheduled for Tuesday at 1 PM ET -- here's a link below to the LIVE coverage:

LINK:  TUESDAY @ 1 PM ET

Fr. Jenkins Accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

University of Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on the steps of the Golden Dome.  Here's a video replay:

LINK:  FR. JENKINS

Notre Dame Ranked #17 in AP Preseason Poll

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are ranked #17 in the AP's preseason poll released today.  Brian Kelly's crew will play FIVE teams ranked in the Top-25 this season:

• #1 Florida State
• #11 Stanford
• #15 USC
• #19 Arizona State
• #23 North Carolina

LINK:  PRESEASON AP TOP 25

Video of Theo Riddick's Great Run After Catch

You'll want to see this!

LINK:  THEO RIDDICK

Domer Jonas Gray Rushes for 98 Yards in WIn!

Former Notre Dame student-athlete Jonas Gray rushed for 98 yards on 12 carries in the New England Patriots 42 - 35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last night!!! 

He also had a 20 yard TD run called back because of penalty...

I am so happy for Jonas!

LINK:  JONAS GRAY

Brady Quinn a "Perfect" 4-4 in Dolphins Debut

Former Notre Dame All-American Brady Quinn -- signed earlier this week -- played in his first game in a Dolphins uniform tonight, going 4 for 4 (22 yards) in his limited duty against the Buccaneers.

LINK:  BOX SCORE

A Look at the Notre Dame Linebackers!

The folks at Fighting Irish Digital Media featured the Notre Dame linebackers in this report. 

LINK:  LINEBACKERS

Notre Dame Practiced Inside ND Stadium Today

Here's a look at today's practice in Notre Dame Stadium -- in front of Faculty and Staff.  Enjoy!

LINK:  PRACTICE REPORT

Coach Brian Kelly Meets With the Media Today

Every Notre Dame fan is aware of the news involving our football program.  Coach Kelly addressed the situation -- after today's practice:

LINK:  COACH KELLY