Notre Dame Fighting Irish
-Notre Dame returns 62.2 percent of its rushing and 95 percent of its passing yards from a year ago
-Of a possible 143 starts last season, 100 total starts return, the highest percentage head coach Brian Kelly has had with the program
-The Fighting Irish averaged 4.8 yards per carry a year ago, it’s best average since 1996, while allowing 17 sacks, fewest since 1998
The Fighting Irish are +2500 to win the 2013 BCS National Championship (The Greek)
USC Trojans
-USC has 19 starters coming back (9 offense, 8 defense, PK, P), in all 79 players are back from last year, including 46 who saw action
-Robert Woods and Marqise Lee’s 2,435 combined receiving yards in 2011 were the most by a pair of Trojans in a season
-The Trojans 6.5 yards-per-play average was the third highest in school history
-QB Matt Barkley will be the program’s first-ever 3-time captain
-RB Curtis McNeal’s 6.9-yard average per carry was the best by a school running back since 2005
-Top four tacklers from 2011 are back, as are its leaders in interceptions, pass deflections and fumble recoveries
The Trojans are co-favorites at +400 to win the 2013 BCS National Championship (The Greek)
-Notre Dame returns 62.2 percent of its rushing and 95 percent of its passing yards from a year ago
-Of a possible 143 starts last season, 100 total starts return, the highest percentage head coach Brian Kelly has had with the program
-The Fighting Irish averaged 4.8 yards per carry a year ago, it’s best average since 1996, while allowing 17 sacks, fewest since 1998
The Fighting Irish are +2500 to win the 2013 BCS National Championship (The Greek)
USC Trojans
-USC has 19 starters coming back (9 offense, 8 defense, PK, P), in all 79 players are back from last year, including 46 who saw action
-Robert Woods and Marqise Lee’s 2,435 combined receiving yards in 2011 were the most by a pair of Trojans in a season
-The Trojans 6.5 yards-per-play average was the third highest in school history
-QB Matt Barkley will be the program’s first-ever 3-time captain
-RB Curtis McNeal’s 6.9-yard average per carry was the best by a school running back since 2005
-Top four tacklers from 2011 are back, as are its leaders in interceptions, pass deflections and fumble recoveries
The Trojans are co-favorites at +400 to win the 2013 BCS National Championship (The Greek)