This is going to be rather light on predictions, but when we reach the "Rough Estimate of the Expected Difficulty of Game" section, I have to sort of guess where this Notre Dame team is going to be. While you can legitimately make a case for almost any record between 3 and 10 wins, I’m going to say this team falls somewhere in between, with a steady running game, capable quarterback play and a defense that’s capable of some big plays but struggles against the run due to defensive line depth. If you want to dismiss all of that and just look at the other information, I would not be offended.

Also, all of the returning starter stuff is coming from Phil Steele . Go buy his magazine if you haven’t already.

Opponent: San Diego State (Sept. 6th at home)

Result Last Year: Oddly enough, the Irish/Aztecs showdown isn’t a traditional series, so there’s no recent (see: any) history between the two teams.

Notes From the 2007 Season: Finished 4-8, with big-time losses to who you would expect (Washington State, Arizona State, Cincinnati, BYU, Utah) and wins over who you would expect (Portland State, UNLV).

Key Returnees, or Lack Thereof:11 returning starters (3 on offense, 8 on defense)…starting quarterback Kevin O’ Connell is gone, drafted by the Patriots in the third round, along with two of the wideouts, who went much later…top two rushers and top three receivers all depart, although five of the top six tacklers are back, not that the defense was any good, giving up an amazing 241.5 rushing yards per game.

Rough Estimate of the Expected Difficulty of Game: 2 (very much should win), because the offense wasn’t any good last year with a future NFL draft pick at quarterback and nobody has stepped up to take O’ Connell’s place. Not a 1 because there’s a chance the defense takes a collective step forward and sophomore running back Brandon Sullivan gives the Brown-Tenuta brain trust some difficulties.

2008 Summer Movie Comparison: The Love Guru, because they’re both bound to be awful. There will be some eye candy (Jessica Alba, San Diego co-eds) and some redeemable parts (Steven Colbert and Jim Gaffigan are the Maple Leaf announcers, Marshall Faulk went there), but really, doomed from the beginning.

Opponent: Michigan (September 13th at home)

Result Last Year: I don’t think the Irish played the Wolverines last year either. Oh, I’m sorry, they did? Really, that bad? Two years in a row? Yakety Sax, you say? Wow, that’s awful embarrassing. (As you all know, after the first snap went over Armando Allen’s head, an irreversible pull that led to the 38-0 debacle in Ann Arbor was set in motion.)

Notes From the 2007 Season: After the hilariously awesome beginning to the year that brought us Appalachian State and Dennis Dixon’s fake Statue of Liberty, the Wolverines rallied, despite injuries to key seniors, to a very solid season. The vast difference in competency between Mike Hart and Anthony Morelli helped them beat Penn State (again), snuck one by at Illinois and then rallied against rival Michigan State to finish a eight game win streak that was ended by a loss in Madison and the annual failure against Ohio State. Sent Carr, Hart, Henne and oh-so-many more out on a high note with a Citrus Bowl win over heavily favored Florida and Heisman heartthrob Tim Tebow.

Key Returnees, or Lack Thereof: 10 returning starters ( 3 on offense, 7 on defense)…best running back by a mile (Mr. Hart) is gone, as well as the top two quarterbacks, best two receivers and top four tacklers…returning starters on offense include one offensive lineman…both safeties and two of three linebackers also move on out.

Rough Estimate of the Expected Difficulty of Game: 3 (should probably win for pride’s sake), as seriously, the Wolverines will be learning a new system with a new quarterback, using untrustworthy and unproven running backs behind an offensive line that might make the 2007 Notre Dame unit look good (ha, just kidding!). Factor in the fact this is at home and the last two years have been absolutely embarrassing – check that: Em-barrassing – and there’s no excuse for dropping this one.

2008 Summer Movie Comparison: Went back and forth on this one a bit, but settled on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, as it was an established franchise returning with a lot of questions, some new faces and tempered expectations (George Lucas did not want anyone excited, neither does Dave from Maize N’ Brew , I assure you). Also have famous hats (fedora, winged helmets) and songs (John Williams’ kick-ass score, "Hail To The Victors").

Opponent: Michigan State (September 20th in East Lansing)

Result Last Year: The Irish were surprisingly competent in this one, trailing only 17-14 at the half before a 14-0 third quarter by Sparty was all the scoring for the rest of the day. Game ball went to James Aldridge, who got 104 yards on 18 carries. The Clausen/Sharpley platoon combined for – ahem – 86 yards on 11 for 20 passing. THROW THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD.

Notes From the 2007 Season: In Mark Dantonio’s first season they ended up 7-6 with a bunch of close losses, including Wisconsin (37-34), overtime versus Northwestern, Ohio State (24-17, although it actually wasn’t that close), double OT vs. Iowa, blown lead vs. Michigan and a close loss against Boston College and the 72 Million Dollar Man in the Champ Sports Bowl. The Spartans could have been in the upper tier of the Big Ten if they just caught a few breaks, but they’re Michigan State, so. . .

Key Returnees, or Lack Thereof: 13 returning starters (7 on offense, 6 on defense). . . backfield combination of Brian Hoyer (four TD tosses against ND last year) and Javon Ringer (GRADUATE) return, although big man Jehuu Caulcrick and big play threat Devin Thomas are gone. . .return top two tacklers, although only 4 of the top 10. . .nothing really scary at wide receiver, although Hoyer was solid last year with roughly the same crew plus Thomas.

Rough Estimate of the Expected Difficulty of Game: 6 (more challenging side of a toss-up), although considering how this series has gone in recent history, it’s much better off to be the road team. Second year in Dantonio’s scheme should lead to improvement, although other than Ringer, there isn’t anybody that jumps out as particularly scary on either side of the ball.

2008 Summer Movie Comparison: The Incredible Hulk, as things went so badly under the old director (Ang Lee, John L. Smith), that they just decided to reboot the whole thing. Most likely to come away from season as audience came away from film, saying "Solid, but not spectacular," or not nearly as good as other Big Ten teams/’08 Marvel films (Ohio State could be Iron Man, potentially). Also, you cannot deny the green connection and the fact Sparty’s muscles resemble that of a very angry Bruce Banner.

Opponent: Purdue (September 27th at home)

Result Last Year: After getting smoked 23-0 in the first half, the Irish offense exploded for 19 second half points, highlighted by the emergence of Golden Tate (3 for 104, a touchdown) and, to a lesser extent, Duval Kamara (6 for 68, a touchdown). Ended up falling 33-19, but definitely one of the better efforts of the season.

Notes From the 2007 Season: Ran up a 7-2 record before imploding down the stretch, losing three straight to Penn State, Michigan State and rival Indiana (last second field goal to send the Hoosiers bowling against Oklahoma State, if memory serves me correctly). Rallied in an endlessly entertaining Motor City Bowl against Central Michigan, beating the criminally underrated Dan LeFevour 51-48 as time expired.

Key Returnees, or Lack Thereof: 12 returning starters (6 on both sides of the ball). . .like the Spartans, deadly backfield combination of Curtis Painter and Kory Sheets return, but they also get wide receiver Greg Orton back, too. . .return top 3 rushers, but lose four of top five receivers, along with all but one of their top six tacklers.

Rough Estimate of the Expected Difficulty of Game: 5 (complete toss-up), as the Painter/Sheets combination in entirely capable of carving up any defense, let alone an unestablished one playing a lot of young players. On the other hand, Purdue usually sucks at defense when they don’t lose most of their top tacklers, so I’m thinking the trend of shootouts continue, and once you crawl into the twenties and thirties on the scoreboard, anything can happen.

2008 Summer Movie Comparison: Wanted, because while there are lots of really shiny and exciting things you want to trust in (Angelina being bad-ass and smoking ala Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the talents of James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman to go along with fancy special effects, while Purdue has Painter, Sheets and Orton as seniors in a spread offense), there’s the good chance it is all style and no substance. While that can work for blockbusters, it’s a little tougher for football teams.