A look at the story lines around the Independents.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Carlyle Holiday should be improved as a QB, the receivers are young and talented, and Ryan Grant is a solid running back. The anticipated return of Julius Jones to the backfield would also add needed depth behind Grant. With all these pieces in place, if and how quickly Notre Dame can rebuild its offensive line should determine the level of success the team has this season.
Eight starters return from the defensive unit that finished in the nation's Top 10 for points allowed and even scored five touchdowns on its own. The front seven should be very good, but the secondary has to replace two significant playmakers. If those gaps are filled well enough, who knows how far the defense may be able to carry the team.
The Irish managed to navigate through a very difficult early part of the schedule last year, but it might be too much to ask them to do it again. Games at Michigan, Purdue and Pittsburgh, followed by a visit from USC will likely define the 2003 season. If ND can win half of them, they will still have a chance for a 10-win season and might even keep BCS hopes alive into November.
Connecticut Huskies
In just its first I-A season with a full allotment of scholarships, UConn shocked fans across the country with a 17-point win at Iowa State in the 2002 finale. That gained the Huskies a 6-6 final record and increased local interest just in time for the opening of $91 million Rentschler Field this season. Eight starters return to a balanced offense that averaged more than 30 points per game, and seven are back on the defense that was Top 20 in yards allowed. Indiana comes in to open the new stadium on Aug. 30.
Navy Midshipmen
Nothing softens the blow of a rough season like a big win over your rival in the final game. In addition to that 58-12 blowout of Army, new head coach Paul Johnson also inspired confidence through near misses vs. bowl teams Notre Dame and Wake Forest in the season's last four weeks. QB Craig Candeto, who accounted for seven TD in the Army game, is a proven leader of the offense, but the defense has plenty of issues that likely won't be resolved by their switch to a 3-4 alignment.
Troy State Trojans
In only their second official season in Division I-A, the Trojans are already in rebuilding mode. Youth and inexperience are in style, as only one senior is expected to start this year. The biggest concerns are on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The front seven that led Troy State to a No. 4 ranking in total defense last season is gone and must be reconstructed. At least the new faces will get to see much of the country. Troy's eight-game road schedule requires 7,270 miles of travel.
Brad Edwards is a researcher for ESPN.
