63 Thoughts Heading Into Game One

Notre Dame football is back in 63 days as Temple travels to the newly renovated Notre Dame Stadium. I will be looking forward to seeing and/or getting a feel for these 63 thoughts and questions.

1.    Jumbotron

2.    Quarterback Brandon Wimbush. How good can he be out of the gate?

3.    Mike Elko’s defense

4.    Brian Kelly. Is he really taking a step back on offense?

5.    Seeing the full Campus Crossroads project. (Mostly completed)

6.    The return of tight end Alizè Mack.

7.    Just how fast will Chip Long’s offense be?

8.    How is Long going to manage the three-headed monster at running back?

9.    Is the sound system going to be better?

10.    Daelin Hayes off the edge.

11.    Can Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson get off to a good start?

12.    Mike Elko on 3rd down.

13.    RPOs!

14.    Can Elko fit Julian Okwara and Jamir Jones into the scheme?

15.    Does the team play with more natural emotion and heart?

16.    Nick Coleman in his new role at safety.

17.    The newly renovated media room for post game.

18.    Did Notre Dame do anything about the sun being in the eyes of everyone on the East side press box?

19.    Can receiver Miles Boykin perform in a game like he did all spring?

20.    Will cornerback Shaun Crawford be as impactful as he was last fall?

21.    The debut of running back Tony Jones Jr.

22.    Where do defensive lineman Jay Hayes and Micah Dew-Treadway fit in?

23.    Seeing Temple run out of the new visitor's tunnel.

24.    Notre Dame can make the team entrance into something special on the jumbotron….will they?

25.    Justin Yoon back on the field.

26.    The likely debut of Tommy Kraemer at right tackle.

27.    Will Devin Studstill take better angles to the football in year two?

28.    Which freshmen make their college football debut?

29.    Chase Claypool on special teams. Always fun.

30.    Cornerback Nick Watkins

31.    Rotation at cornerback? Who fits where in the new scheme?

32.    Will Brian Polian make an immediate impact on Special Teams?

33.    Freshmen tight ends Brock Wright and Cole Kmet…which one plays? Do both play?

34.    Fundamentals were stressed all spring. Will Notre Dame tackle better?

35.    Chris Finke.

36.    Notre Dame will have a new long snapper for the first time in four years, how does John Shannon handle his first game?

37.    Where does linebacker Tevon Coney fit?

38.    Halftime adjustments

39.    Is Chase Claypool ready to take on a bigger role at receiver?

40.    How does Elko use safety/rover Drue Tranquill?

41.    Notre Dame Stadium will be louder but how much louder?

42.    Does Jerry Tillery have the killer instinct in year three?

43.    How often does Notre Dame take deep shots on offense?

44.    Nyles Morgan.

45.    What does the rotation at strongside defensive end look like?

46.    How does the crowd react when Notre Dame throws on 3rd-and-short and doesn’t get the first down?

47.    Can the defense start strong and force turnovers?

48.    Where do grad transfers Cam Smith and Freddy Canteen fit in?

49.    Are defensive tackles Daniel Cage and Elijah Taylor in condition to play?

50.    Receiver KJ Stepherson.

51.    What role does defensive end Andrew Trumbetti play?

52.    Does Alex Bars look more comfortable inside at right guard?

53.    The ISD tailgate.

54.    Who is the kicker on kickoffs for Notre Dame?

55.    If he’s cleared, where does safety transfer Alohi Gilman fit?

56.    How often does Chip Long use a two-back set?

57.    How often is Brandon Wimbush under center?

58.    Will Mike Frank send happy or angry group texts?

59.    Can Notre Dame get a blowout to start the year and get Ian Book snaps?

60.    Defensive end Khalid Kareem.

61.    ISD Tailgate Trivia. (Video on Sunday)

62.    Looking forward to seeing ISD photographer Rick Kimball’s shots.

63.    Are Notre Dame fans confident for the Georgia game following game one?